DE&I Tech Pilot Project Closes, Leaving a Legacy of Foundational Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources for Employers

DE&I Tech Pilot Project Closes, Leaving a Legacy of Foundational Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources for Employers

May 13, 2022

AP Network's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Tech Project has wrapped up the 3 year pilot, having engaged more than 600 business leaders, delivered training programs to more than 180 tech sector leaders, and saw the completion of six highly successful projects established to support the attraction, retention and advancement of equity-deserving populations in Canada'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 they need 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. 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.”

- Stephanie Hollingshead, CEO, TAP Network

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:

  1. DE&I Resource HUB, a website housing 400+ free tools and resources to support employers
  2. ‘Everyone Belongs in Tech’ series of video vignettes showcasing eight inspiring and diverse individuals thriving in tech sector careers
  3. Three intensive DE&I training programs
  4. An Employer Toolkit for measuring workforce diversity
  5. The Diversity in Tech Dashboard that provides a detailed annual measurement of diversity within the tech sector

The work is far from complete. Our Diversity in Tech Dashboard results highlight the immediate need to increase civersity, inclusion and reconciliation in Canada’s tech sector.

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.

We are seeking additional funding to grow this work. To learn more about opportunities to get involved in sustaining and growing the DE&I Tech Project, please contact Kathy Gibson at kathy@tapnetwork.ca.