Course Catalogue.

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• List at least two examples of how societal inequities have become systemic barriers to the engineering profession
• Point at least three ways to improve workforce diversity in the engineering profession
• Give examples of at least 20 ways to build inclusivity in an engineering organization
• Summarize at least three key findings from a recent Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) project that addresses potential DEI disclosures and how they vary by industry
• Analyze at least three diversity reports from leading engineering firms

Description
This course provides a concise overview of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). This is an umbrella term for policies, programs, and strategies that promote the representation and participation of individuals of different ages, races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations in the modern workforce. According to McKinsey, the benefits of DEI go far beyond political correctness.

It’s a powerful driver of long-term advantage, company reputation, and talent attraction. Compared to homogeneous firms, diverse companies have higher profits, more motivated employees, higher collective intelligence, and sharper “social listening” capabilities. This promotes better decision-making (multiple perspectives are better than one), greater innovation (breakthroughs happen when multiple points of view are put together in new ways), and reduced bias (seeing a problem from various angles can lead to better and faster resolutions).

DEI is especially important for Technical Professionals because recent North American studies report significant diversity gaps and a lack of equity and inclusion in the profession. This course spotlights the stark reality and ethical imperative facing the profession today and suggests practical solutions to drive change. You’ll walk away with a foundational understanding of DEI principles and guidance on attracting and retaining more diverse talent to your operations. 

Course Outline

• DEI Basics
• What is Diversity?
• What is Equity? 
• What is Inclusion?
• Neurodiversity Principles
• DEI Continuum
• How a DEI Strategy Contributes to Your Competitive Advantage
• Diversity Annual Reports: Case Studies and Best Practices
• Inclusive Hiring Processes
• Retention and Promotion Equity
• Pay Gap Issues
• Diverse Vendor Networks
• Racial Equity and Brand Messaging
• Inclusivity Builder Worksheet
• Inclusive Marketing Toolkit
• DEI Technology Tools
• DEI Resources
• DEI Starter Strategy

Who Should Attend
Practitioners who want a non-technical understanding of DEI basics and general guidance on creating diverse teams, inclusive environments and equal opportunities for career growth.