PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
APEGA Helps Permit Holders Build Diversity Through Employee Resource Groups
We’ll also be looking for ways to help Permit Holders that want to start up their own ERGs. This initiative aligns with the 30-by-30 campaign — an APEGA and Engineers Canada goal to boost the composition of the professions to 30 per cent women by 2030. Suncor will be among the first companies to join APEGA’s ERG network. So will another Calgary-based corporation, BP Canada, which formed an ERG in 2009. The mission of BP’s ERG is to empower women to reach their full potential. While it is focused on supporting and developing women, many of the issues the BP group addresses are relevant to men and women, and its events are open to all employees. “We believe that we’re able to support women and encourage discussions around diversity and inclusion — while still being relatable to a majority of our workforce,” says Kim Tulloch, P.Eng., Team Lead for BP’s Sunrise Surface Facilities. At BP, activities organized by the women’s network share best practices on work-life balance, career development, personal development, and other topics, Ms. Tulloch says. The ERG provides opportunities for improved communication between leaders and employees. Over the past year, the company has: • hosted a motivational speaker and Toastmasters events • sponsored employees to attend a conference called Women Engineering the Future and a breakfast called the Women’s Foundation Breakfast • held a networking event with BP leaders The group also produces a quarterly newsletter, which: • highlights the achievements of inspiring women and men at BP • shares best practices from BP offices around the globe • includes stories on topics like motivation, powerful presentations, and wellness
Within hours of invitations being sent out, most events hosted by the Major Projects Women’s Diversity Initiative at Suncor Energy are filled to capacity with employees keen to network and share ideas. Open to male and female employees, recent activities of the initiative have included Lunch ’n’ Learns featuring prominent Suncor leaders, a Bring Your Daughter to Work Day, and a program called Let’s Talk, which had mentors from all levels of the company sharing their knowledge with small employee groups. The Women’s Diversity Initiative is an employee resource group (ERG). In Suncor’s case, the ERG focuses on providing support and career development opportunities for female employees in Suncor’s major projects business unit. Although led by employees themselves, it was formed in 2012 after a senior leader became concerned about the lack of women within the unit. “Our long-term objective is to increase, retain, and develop female employees within major projects, while helping create an inspiring workplace that both attracts and retains female employees,” explains Erin Thorp, P.Eng., a project leader at Suncor Energy and co-chair of the Women’s Diversity Initiative. “There is a business case for promoting women in the workplace. Studies have shown companies with diverse leadership teams and boards perform better than companies that are not as diverse.” Suncor’s initiative is one of a growing number of ERGs. Engineering and geoscience companies are developing them to foster inclusive workplaces and build diversity, while supporting their missions and visions. Many ERGs focus on gender equality, but others have formed to connect employees with things they have in common — ethnicity, sexual orientation, lifestyles, types of education, to name a few. ERGs work to develop a culture of like-minded allies who encourage people of all backgrounds — not just the group they’re focused on — to attend events, seminars, and workshops in support of their objectives. Often an ERG’s activities advance a cultural change in the workplace that can have a big impact. This benefits all employees by increasing the awareness and understanding of issues and opportunities, and by providing development opportunities for those in the ERG. APEGA supports ERGs, because of the value to Members. In fact APEGA is building a network of engineering and geoscience ERGs focused on the advancement of women in the professions. Our goal is to develop a forum for: • connecting existing, gender-focused ERGs across Alberta • sharing information • understanding workplace needs and challenges • identifying areas that need more support
HOW CAN ERGS SUPPORT DIVERSITY IN YOUR ORGANIZATION?
In many organizations, ERGs are a critical element in creating a culture of inclusion and a workplace that supports a diversity of backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. ERGs often provide organizational leaders with input on issues, opportunities, and challenges facing the group’s members. They supply constructive forums for feedback on the work environment and what needs to change. ERGs can provide organizations with a mechanism for recruiting, retaining, and developing employees who support organizational goals.
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