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Gem-A creates online course on jewelry sourcing
Citing the rise in the number of consumers who want to know where their jewelry comes from, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain will unveil a new online course for jewelry professionals that will cover corporate social responsibility for businesses of any size.
London--Citing the rise in the number of consumers who want to know where their jewelry comes from, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain will unveil a new online course for jewelry professionals that will cover corporate social responsibility for businesses of any size.
The course will provide a series of interactive, expert-delivered lectures that provide information on how to tackle CSR issues in the jewelry industry. The lectures will be supplemented with readings, tests and a written essay.
Gem-A said it is aiming to provide the industry with an essential foundation for CSR that can be incorporated into any business, no matter the size or where it is located in the supply chain.
“Gem-A has been working … to help the jewelry industry realize the growing importance of CSR as an essential aspect of professional accreditation and how it is becoming increasingly clear that customers now expect jewelry professionals to be able to advise on non-technical issues such as the origins or social and environmental impact of their jewelry purchase,” the organization said.
Gem-A said the CSR course will be available online on the Branded Trust website at the beginning of October. The cost of the course is about $986. Those wanting to sign up should contact education@gem-a.com.
CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, CIBJO’s Educational Foundation, and Branded Trust, an Australia-based nonprofit that provides social responsibility management assistance to businesses, helped Gem-A to develop the CSR course.
Gem-A CEO James Riley said there are still problems with jewelry professionals being able to validate CSR claims with real-practice measures for tracking company policy and its impacts.
“Gem-A and Branded Trust hope to change this with an industry-wide push for the validation and accreditation of those committed to a socially responsible supply chain through a series of initiatives, starting with this new CSR-focused professional qualification,” he said.
Those planning to attend the International Jewellery London show are invited to attend a reception with Gem-A on Sunday, Aug. 31 at stand J31 in celebration of the new CSR course. Attendees will get a first glimpse of the course and also will be invited to officially enroll in it for a one-time fee of about $986.
Additional information on the upcoming CSR can be found by contacting Gem-A at information@gem-a.com or by calling +44 207 404 3334.
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