Sheridan launches EDI Learning Series in support of 50 – 30 Challenge
Sheridan has launched an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Learning Series designed to help individuals lead with inclusivity, drive positive change and make a lasting impact within their organizations and communities.
The EDI Learning Series consists of two free Inclusive Leadership courses — one for the non-profit sector and one that is cross-sector focused — that feature interactive lessons, practical tools, real-life Canadian case studies, self-directed asynchronous learning, weekly synchronous discussions, guidance from course facilitators and certificates of completion.
Sheridan developed and curated the EDI Learning Series through the 50 – 30 Challenge, a federal government initiative that challenges organizations to strive for gender parity (50% women and/or non-binary people) and significant representation (30%) of other equity-deserving groups (including racialized people, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples) on their boards and/or senior management.
In addition to being an early adopter of the 50 – 30 Challenge (signing on in December 2020), Sheridan hosts the only English-speaking Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination Centre (KMDC) for Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), one of five 50 – 30 Challenge Ecosystem Partners selected by the Government of Canada to help participants adopt inclusion and diversity practices within their organizations.
Earlier this fall, Sheridan and Fanshawe College, one of CICan's 50 – 30 Challenge Hubs, co-hosted an event at Sheridan Conference Centre for representatives from local organizations and businesses who have pledged to the challenge. 'Strengthen Your EDI - Core Course Day' featured high attendee engagement through thought-provoking questions and collaborative activities; the sharing of experiences in the workplace, organizational structures and policies; and examples of the strengths and challenges of embedding EDI in the workplace.
Workshops at the event included The ABCs of EDI, focusing on the building blocks of EDI in the workplace; How To Win EDI and Ensure Succession, discussing how to recruit internal and external talent through an EDI lens and ensure systematic change through succession planning; and Recruit Today, Sustain Tomorrow, providing participants with practical steps to overcome barriers within organizations, adapt systems and structures to ensure a diverse employee base, and embed and sustain EDI efforts. Workshop modules were curated from the What Works Toolkit (WWT), an online resource developed with the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), KPMG Canada and the 50 – 30 Challenge Ecosystem Partners. More resources can be found on the 50 – 30 Challenge website.
Since launching in January 2023, Sheridan's EDI Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination Centre has hosted nearly 20 webinars with more than 1,700 participants. More than half of those participants have attended more than one session.
“It has been so wonderful to see the overwhelmingly positive response to our learning series. Both Inclusive Leadership courses have attracted a diverse range of learners from various industries and backgrounds who are engaging with the interactive content and in the discussion hours,” says Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui, Senior Adviser and Inclusive Leadership Courses Lead for Sheridan’s EDI Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination Centre.
“We look forward to continuing to offer this first-of-its-kind online EDI learning series that allows students to work both asynchronously at their own pace and synchronously with weekly discussions with an EDI expert facilitator.”
Registration for the EDI Learning Series is now open, with preference going to organizations who have already pledged to the 50 – 30 Challenge. More information about the two free Inclusive Leadership courses can be found on the EDI Learning Series registration page.
Pictured in this release are Sheridan EDI Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination Centre Senior Adviser Dr. Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui (banner photo) and Fanshawe 50 - 30 Challenge Hub Training Adviser Wil Osbourne-Sorrell (body photo) presenting at the 'Strengthen Your EDI - Core Course Day' event recently at Sheridan Conference Centre.
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