Volvo 2015 Annual Report Download - page 71

Engaging with the communities where we live and oper-
ate is natural for the Volvo Group in order to be a good
corporate citizen. Our approach involves driving and
participating in CSR initiatives, establishing strategic
partnerships and supporting work following natural disasters. We
also encourage our employees to participate in employee volun-
teering programs. In addition to our global efforts, we have dedi-
cated employees in our main countries, to coordinate our CSR
ambitions.
Moving Society Forward
Our Moving Society Forward program is based on the “Creating
Shared Value” principle, further described in the diagram below.
In order to maximize the shared value created, the program is
directly connected to Volvo Group’s vision, business and expert
capabilities. Our program specifically aims to:
• Remove obstacles to future business success, turning threats
into opportunities that mitigate risks
• Engage in activities with both business and societal benefits
• Utilize the Volvo Group’s unique assets and knowledge
• Encourage employee involvement.
The highest potential for mutual benefit is where Volvo Group’s
business significantly interacts with the society. The focus areas
selected for our Moving Society Forward program are:
• Education and Skills Development
• Traffic and Worksite Safety
• Environmental Sustainability.
In 2015 the number of activities linked to the focus areas in our
Moving Society Forward program was 45% out of all CSR activi-
ties compared to 39% 2014.
Stop, Look, Wave
The Volvo Group conducts a wide range of traffic safety cam-
paigns focusing on professional drivers as well as school children
and local communities. Our training programs are run in the
majority of the countries where we operate. In May 2015 we initi-
ated a global program called “Stop, Look, Wave”. We encouraged
our 100,000 employees to get involved in promoting safety
awareness sessions for children in their immediate environment,
with the help of specially developed training kits. We simultane-
ously launched a campaign with the International Road Transport
Union (IRU). The campaign is directed at drivers to encourage
them to always be aware of vulnerable road users and do their
utmost to drive safely. And, of course, to wave back to children
who wave at them. In 2015, we reached out to more than 50,000
children with this campaign and it will continue in 2016.
Vocational training
During 2015, we continued our work to establish vocational training
schools for mechanics, drivers and operators of trucks, buses and
construction equipment, mainly in Africa and South East Asia. In
total, training will be provided for around 4,500 young people ena-
bling them to be employed within the transport industry and ena-
bling Volvo Group customers to find skilled drivers, operators and
after market personnel. At the end of 2015, vocational schools had
been established in Ethiopia and initiated in Morocco and Zambia.
Employee volunteering
Employees are welcome to participate and volunteer in different
local and global societal engagement initiatives.
During 2015 on-site volunteering in our vocational training
schools in Africa was piloted as part of our Moving Society
Forward program. Three employees from our the Group’s truck
manufacturing were selected to spend two months in Ethiopia,
Zambia and Morocco respectively.
Volvo Step – industrial production training
During the autumn 2015 another round of the Volvo Step started,
a vocational training for unemployed youth aged 18 to 22. The
program is offered to 100 young people and takes place at 11
Volvo sites in Sweden. It aims to secure long-term access to
skilled employees and improve young peoples’ chances in the
labor market. In total 1,055 people have completed the training
and of these 70% had jobs and 10% had chosen to continue
studies when surveyed six months after finishing the program.
Disaster relief
Volvo Group has a disaster relief fund that is approved by AB Volvo
Board of Directors. This fund is used to support the work related to
global natural disasters or catastrophes by providing our products
or money to the most relevant organization related to the disaster.
During 2015, the Volvo Group donated for example SEK 5 M to
UNHCR, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to support
their work in providing refugees with emergency relief items such
as shelter, food, water and medical care.
SOCIETAL ENGAGEMENT
A GLOBAL GROUP BUSINESS MODEL SHARED VALUE
GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY
• Interactive traffic safety training for children
• Training kits made available for anyone to use
• A challenge to all 100,000 employees
www.volvogroup.com/stoplookwave
G
L
O
BAL R
O
AD
S
AFET
Y
SHARED VALUE
Societal
challenges
Shared
value
For the Volvo Group, creating
shared value involves
moving both our business
and society forward. We
enhance our competitive-
ness while simultaneously
advancing the economic,
environmental and social
conditions of the societies in
which we operate.
Volvo Group’s
unique assets and
expertise
Business
opportunities
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