Improving the Representation of Blacks in Banking, Finance & Tech Sector in British Columbia and Alberta. ESDC WORBE Program Program Description Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) is designed to support employers subject to the Employment Equity Act (the Act) in their efforts to improve designated group representation in areas of low representation through partnerships and industry-tailored strategies. BWBN WORBE Project Black Women Business Network (BWBN) WORBE’s project titled : “Improving the Representation of Blacks in Banking, Finance and Tech Sectors in BC and AB” in collaboration with partner organizations Tech and People (TAP), Black Buildup, Vancity Credit Union, and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), seeks to improve the representation of Black persons (including newcomers, immigrants, persons with disabilities (PWD) and francophones) in targeted occupational groups (senior managers, middle managers, supervisors and professionals) in the Finance and Tech sectors   . Problem Statement Visible minorities, particularly Blacks, are significantly underrepresented in these sectors, hindering government-led diversity efforts. Statistics from industry reports underscore the need for intensified initiatives; only 3.5% of banking employees, 3.5% in finance, and 2.6% in tech identify as Black. . Consequences of Underrepresentation The lack of diversity in these sectors leads to limited career advancement opportunities, perpetuates racial bias, hampers innovation and competitiveness, and stifles diverse perspectives and ideas. Project Objectives The project’s specific objectives are to: • Identify industry-specific barriers to employment and needs for targeted solutions, in collaboration with sector partners, employers, and Black employees, to improve representation in the selected occupational groups; and • Increase the capacity of federally regulated sector employers to fulfill their obligations under the Employment Equity Act Project Brief Sector Research Finance and Banking Research Highlights Black Representation in Alberta’s banking & finance professiona is 3.0% (below their 3.4% workforce share), and british Columbia, it is 0.8% (falling short of their 1.1% representation in the workforce Tech Research Highlights (Coming soon) Project Approach The 36-month project involves four phases: research, stakeholder engagement, intervention design, and knowledge translation. A multi-approach strategy includes a meta-synthesis of existing information, stakeholder engagement through discussions and storytelling activities, and collaborative intervention design. Expected Output The project anticipates increased awareness of systemic barriers, sector-specific diversity and inclusion tools, effective dissemination of reports and solutions, and improved adherence to the Employment Equity Act. Additionally, it aims to foster a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusivity across the workplace, promoting sustained positive change. Call to Action Support this initiave to imrove the above statistics. Our survey takes 10 mins and is anonymous Share your experience and improve professional diversity Take Survey Our Partners & Sponsors Improving the Representation of Blacks in Banking, Finance & Tech Sector in British Columbia and Alberta. ESDC WORBE Program Program Description Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) is designed to support employers subject to the Employment Equity Act (the Act) in their efforts to improve designated group representation in areas of low representation through partnerships and industry-tailored strategies. BWBN WORBE Project Black Women Business Network (BWBN) WORBE’s project titled : “Improving the Representation of Blacks in Banking, Finance and Tech Sectors in BC and AB” in collaboration with partner organizations Tech and People (TAP), Black Buildup, Vancity Credit Union, and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), seeks to improve the representation of Black persons (including newcomers, immigrants, persons with disabilities (PWD) and francophones) in targeted occupational groups (senior managers, middle managers, supervisors and professionals) in the Finance and Tech sectors . Problem Statement Visible minorities, particularly Blacks, are significantly underrepresented in these sectors, hindering government-led diversity efforts. Statistics from industry reports underscore the need for intensified initiatives; only 3.5% of banking employees, 3.5% in finance, and 2.6% in tech identify as Black. . Consequences of Underrepresentation The lack of diversity in these sectors leads to limited career advancement opportunities, perpetuates racial bias, hampers innovation and competitiveness, and stifles diverse perspectives and ideas. Project Objectives The project’s specific objectives are to: • Identify industry-specific barriers to employment and needs for targeted solutions, in collaboration with sector partners, employers, and Black employees, to improve representation in the selected occupational groups; and • Increase the capacity of federally regulated sector employers to fulfill their obligations under the Employment Equity Act Project Brief Sector Research Finance and Banking Research Highlights Black Representation in Alberta’s banking & finance professiona is 3.0% (below their 3.4% workforce share), and british Columbia, it is 0.8% (falling short of their 1.1% representation in the workforce Tech Research Highlights (Coming soon) Project Approach The 36-month project involves four phases: research, stakeholder engagement, intervention design, and knowledge translation. A multi-approach strategy includes a meta-synthesis of existing information, stakeholder engagement through discussions and storytelling activities, and collaborative intervention design. Expected Output The project anticipates increased awareness of systemic barriers, sector-specific diversity and inclusion tools, effective dissemination of reports and solutions, and improved adherence to the Employment Equity Act. Additionally, it aims to foster a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusivity across the workplace, promoting sustained positive change. Call to Action Support this initiave to imrove the above statistics. Our survey takes 10 mins and is anonymous Share your experience and improve professional diversity Take Survey Our Partners & Sponsors Subscribe to Our Newsletter Submit You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! Something went wrong, please try again.