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Code Application — Assessor Training and Tools

Assessor Training >
Assessor Tools >

Assessor Training:

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&CO.) conducts a week-long core training for all its assessors and third-party monitors. The training is based on a globally standardized curriculum and is delivered by the Regional Terms of Engagement (TOE) Managers. It includes the following modules:

• LS&CO. Values;
• Tools to establish country situation context, including labor laws;
• Terms of Engagement (TOE) standards as defined in the TOE Guidebook;
• How to conduct an assessment;
• TOE database and documentation;
• How to conduct productive discussions with workers; and
• Hands-on factory assessment training.

Tools such as group exercises, role playing, written testing, one-on-one interviews (assessor and trainer) and factory visits are employed throughout the training to enhance understanding. Participant feedback and coaching are also an important part of the training.

A key component of a factory assessor’s training, and an area where we have made significant progress over the years, is the gathering of information from workers. In the course of implementing the TOE and assessing our own program and procedures, we identified that in some cases employees were being coached on what to say to assessors or pressured by factory management to provide false information. In response, we expanded our monitor training to include a significant focus on the detailed processes, skills and practices required to effectively gather accurate information from workers during a TOE assessment while ensuring that workers feel and remain safe and protected from management retribution.

At the conclusion of the training, an experienced assessor accompanies the trainee in conducting actual contractor assessments.

In addition to the comprehensive training program for the assessors, LS&CO. conducts training sessions for other employees who may have the opportunity to visit contractor facilities as part of their jobs. Those employees include buying agents, merchandisers and product development managers. With an understanding of the TOE requirements, those employees can support the work of the LS&CO. and third-party assessors.

Assessor Tools:

In addition to the tools provided to assessors in their trainings, LS&CO. provides a copy of the TOE Guidebook as reference material.

Field assessors also complete a detailed 40-page TOE assessment form for each contractor. The information that is collected is entered into a central global database that is accessible by other assessors and TOE and sourcing staff to share best practices, provide detailed historical information about specific suppliers, identify trends and make future sourcing decisions.

For more information on TOE assessor training, contact Leslie Croshaw at lcroshaw@levi.com.