Following the publication of the key documents of the 2020 Certification Program, the Rainforest Alliance offers support to producers and businesses to implement the new system. The 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard includes Farm and Supply Chain Requirements, as well as rules on assurance and new technology systems. We developed a training program to facilitate a smooth transition process for farm and supply chain certificate holders, for certification bodies and to enable prospect certificate holders to join our certification program. It consists of a combination of e-courses, online sessions, and face-to-face sessions.
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Training: July 2021 and onward
From the moment our standard came into force on 1 July 2021 the Rainforest Alliance has been providing all relevant stakeholders with information materials and training to be able to implement and be audited against the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard.
Training packages include:
- A thorough introduction to the principles and requirements of the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard, offered through an e-course in 10 languages
- The possibility to do a self-test of your understanding of these new requirements
- Detailed training on the specific Farm Requirements, and Supply Chain Requirements highlighting any changes from the former UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certification programs
- Guidance and deep-dive training on using the new tools including the Farm or Supply Chain Risk Assessment tool, Management Capacity Tool and Management Plan that are designed to support certificate holders plan and measure the implementation of the new standard requirements
- Guidance and training on the MultiTrace portal for registration, certification/licensing, and traceability
- Explanation of the rules for transitioning from the former UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certification to the new certification program and use of the online tool to support certificate holders to transition
- Explanations of the Certification and Auditing Rules highlighting improvements to the assurance system
- Access to further information and guidance materials to support the implementation of the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard and assurance system
Regional training
Our local teams in Latin America, Africa and Asia are developing targeted training programs to meet the specific needs of certificate holders in the context in which they work. To provide certificate holders in key countries with this tailored training, the Rainforest Alliance has set up 15 Associate Trainer Networks (ATNs). The Associate Trainers are selected and trained by the Rainforest Alliance to support current certificate holders and potential new members implement the new certification program. The Rainforest Alliance coordinates the work of the ATNs and monitors the quality of their training. The Associate Trainers are listed on the training page so that interested organizations can contract them for support.
In addition, the Rainforest Alliance Learning Network (RALN) is RA’s platform where one can enroll in upcoming courses.
Training in Latin America
In Latin America, TrainingsIn Latin America, training by Rainforest Alliance trainers and Associate Trainers has started and training of the Farm Internal Management System (IMS) Managers and staff was completed by the end of 2021.
The training is coordinated by training focal points in key countries for certification who are responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring country training plans and adjusting training materials for local needs. The training focal point is the first point of contact for questions and information about training in the country. Because of restrictions related to the pandemic, training sessions are virtual, although they can be face to face if conditions allow.
To prepare for training, participants should read the Farm and/or Supply Chain Requirements, and Annexes to the 2020 Standard. Additional materials and case studies are provided during the training.
For more details on Latin America training, please contact Juan Francisco Martinez.
Training in Africa
In Africa, the training schedule has been aligned with different crop cycles:
- Training for Coffee and Tea Certificate Holders is usually held in November-December
- Training for Cocoa Certificate Holders usually starts in the first quarter of the year
Initial trainings focus on the Farm (IMS) managers and Associate Trainers. Training for IMS staff will be conducted later by both Associate Trainers and IMS managers.
In most countries training is delivered face-to-face (as long as COVID regulations allow), with the exception of a few virtual sessions targeting supply chain actors. Many trainings will be delivered in both English and French.
Materials and resources including the Farm Requirements, Supply Chain Requirements, and Certification and Auditing Rules will be shared with the participants in advance so they can prepare for the training.
For more details on the training in Africa, please contact Mark Njeru
Training in Asia/Pacific
In APAC, Trainings of the Associate Trainers in Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka have taken place at an early stage. This enabled the training of IMS managers and staff during the year 2021. In 2022 more deep-dive courses will be rolled out to get a thorough understanding of the standard annexes and related tools.
Like in the other regions, sessions are virtual, but as circumstances allow will move to be delivered as face-to-face training. To prepare for training, participants should read the Farm and/or Supply Chain Requirements, and Annexes to the 2020 Standard. Additional materials and case studies will be provided during the training.
For more details on the training in Asia Pacific, please contact Eldo Soplantila esoplantila@ra.org.