A diverse workforce is associated with higher productivity, and an inclusive, diverse workplace encourages exchanges of ideas. It can be more creative and productive when people from different backgrounds learn from one another. It is therefore crucial to build this type of cultural environment in the service sector. 

This self-learning e-course will provide opportunities to understand the importance of creating a culture of diversity and inclusion at organizational level for boosting productivity and how to build such a culture for improved performance and innovation, with particular focus on the service sector.

Course Objectives

The main objectives of this course are:

• Learn how the promotion of diversity and inclusion can boost productivity in the service sector;

• Understand the basic principles of building diversity and inclusion cultures in service-sector organizations.

This e-learning course will cover the following modules:

Module 1: What is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)?

Module 2: Elements of diversity and benefits of diversity management in the service sector

Module 3: DEI and critical diversity factors: Women, youth, and persons with disabilities

Module 4: Strategies and practices for managing diversity in the service sector

Module 5: Problems and challenges in dealing with DEI in the service sector

Important Notes:

1. Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, the most appropriate time to take the examination should be chosen carefully. The self-assessment quizzes are for personal evaluation only and are not related to the final examination results.
2. Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects on similar topics, when nominated by their NPOs and if slots are available.
3. Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, although they will not have an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.
4. Each module is in a prerecorded video format in which the expert delivers presentations by explaining each slide. Participants can access the video by clicking on the link provided under the title of each module.