The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Tech Project launched by the Tech and People Network (TAP Network) has engaged more than 600 business leaders opting to receive updates and participate in learning and sharing opportunities as part of its DE&I Coalition, delivered training programs to more than 180 tech sector leaders across 11 cohorts, and saw the completion of six highly successful projects established to support the attraction, retention and advancement of equity-deserving populations in BC’s technology sector.
The pilot project, launched in 2019 with funding provided by BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training’s Sector Labour Market Partnership Program, was created to fill a critical gap in Canada’s tech ecosystem and support employers with the knowledge and tools to develop more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces.
“TAP Network is proud to have played such an important role in creating much needed tools, resources and most importantly, change in the tech sector,” said Stephanie Hollingshead, CEO, TAP Network. “As a result of the work we’ve led over the last three years, we now have a detailed benchmark of the diversity within the sector and have identified profound gaps in representation, particularly for Indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. The need for continued training and programs to close these gaps is clear and the response from the community has been incredible. We now have foundational resources in place to support employers across the country and look forward to taking the next steps to expanding the program nationally.”
The following programs and resources are available online to support companies in furthering the recruitment, retention and career development of women, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people of colour, newcomers to Canada, and individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+ within the tech sector:
- DE&I Resource HUB, a website housing 400+ free tools and resources to support employers
- ‘Everyone Belongs in Tech’ series of video vignettes showcasing eight inspiring and diverse individuals thriving in tech sector careers
- Three intensive DE&I training programs
- An Employer Toolkit for measuring workforce diversity
- The Diversity in Tech Dashboard that provides a detailed annual measurement of diversity within the tech sector
“Each initiative made possible by the DE&I Tech Project has made a strong contribution to increasing our sector’s collective capability to develop diverse and inclusive workplaces,” said Amanda Mallow, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Sophos, a member of TAP Network’s DE&I Coalition. “The DE&I measurement and benchmarking resources made our own implementation seamless and the initiative itself provided us insight that we would not have found otherwise. TAP Network has done an incredible job building awareness around the need for this work in the sector and they have set a strong foundation for future progress. While tremendous strides have been made, there continues to be a pressing need to increase the diversity of our talent pool and build on diversity and reconciliation commitments and opportunities in the sector. We are hopeful that with the framework in place and tools now available from TAP Network, more organizations will commit to, and build on their own diversity, equity and inclusion journeys.”
TAP Network will continue a number of project initiatives to advance the equity, diversity and inclusion of Canada’s tech sector through 2022 and beyond thanks to the generous contributions of sustainability sponsors: Innovate BC, Northeastern University, Black Women Business Network, Bananatag, Tableau, Sophos, Sierra Wireless and VIATEC.
About TAP Network
TAP Network is a non-profit association for People and Culture professionals in Canada's tech sector, providing members with access to tech sector data, industry experts and an inclusive peer community to drive innovation, collaboration and results. Through programs and events, TAP Network fosters peer-to-peer connections and collaboration that enable learning and knowledge sharing. The association’s 750+ members lead and influence the People and Culture practices at over 200 tech companies spanning numerous subsectors, including ICT, VFX and animation, interactive and digital entertainment, cleantech, AI, life sciences and more.
To learn more about opportunities to get involved in the DE&I Tech Project, please contact Kathy Gibson at kathy@tapnetwork.ca.
