Victoria, BC -  VIATEC is proud to announce that we have renewed our partnership with TAP Network’s DE&I Resource HUB. 

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.

TAP Network's DE&I Resource HUB is a free online tool that provides employers with tools and information that can be used to integrate DE&I practices, build a culture of inclusiveness and support women, Indigenous peoples, people of color, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+ (Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual, and all other sexual orientations and genders) and all other equity deserving populations. 

"VIATEC has been a valued partner of TAP Network's DE&I Tech Project since it came to fruition in 2019. Through the generous early contributions of VIATEC, TAP Network has been able to amplify our efforts in the space. Over the last three years VIATEC has also been a key communications partner, ensuring that our initiatives and updates have been shared widely amongst VIATEC member companies, to build awareness, enhance and elevate DE&I in the sector. We're truly grateful for the opportunity to have VIATEC as a partner for this important work." 

- Kathy Gibson, Sr. Project Manager/Consultant of TAP Network’s DE&I Tech Project

“We consider diversity, equity and inclusion an enormous opportunity for our tech community. VIATEC was honoured to be the only Canadian finalist for the TECNA (Tech Councils of North America) Innovation in DE&I Award and we see our ongoing partnership with TAP Network as the most efficient and valuable way we can continue to inform and empower our members with tools that will help them implement DE&I initiatives within their organizations.” 

- Dan Gunn, CEO, VIATEC

The DE&I Resource HUB site includes checklists, templates, case studies, sample policies, training modules and links to other useful materials that can be directly implemented into any organization. Users of the site can view resources for specific designated groups and for various employee life cycle stages. While it is targeted for use by the tech sector, it’s an open site that is available to all.

In addition to the DE&I Resource HUB, TAP Network has also worked on a number of other initiatives as part of the DE&I Tech Project. Including:

• As part of their Tech Salary Survey, TAP Network is gathering data on the representation of equity deserving groups within tech to establish a baseline of the current representation of women, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people of colour, and individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+. To assist organizations in implementing this initiative, TAP Network developed the Benchmarking Toolkit that can assist in the collection of diversity data. Tools include a Questionnaire for Employees, FAQ, Manager Communication and an Employee Announcement. It is encouraged that any TAP Network members submit their diversity data along with their salary survey submissions. 
• The Diversity in Tech Dashboard provides a benchmark for the BC tech sector to track its progress on increasing the representation of equity deserving groups within the sector. The 2022 Dashboard will be expanded to include benchmark data across Canada's tech sector. 
• The Everyone Belongs in Tech series highlights inspiring and diverse people who love their tech jobs. Through this content, TAP Network hopes to inspire equity deserving populations to consider a career in tech. 

About VIATEC:

VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council), started in 1989. VIATEC's mission is to cultivate the most cohesive tech community in the world by providing resources to tackle shared opportunities and challenges while boosting a sense of belonging and shaping our region. www.viatec.ca 

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.