Ottawa, May 14, 2024—The latest ICTC report, Assessing Impact: ICTC’s Ambassador Program, evaluates the implementation of ICTC’s Ambassador program and its value to participants. The Ambassador program empowered employers with the tools and resources to develop and implement EDI strategies in their organizations to better attract, hire, and retain women. This assessment report showcases participants’ evaluations of the program’s effectiveness.
Key findings:
- Close to 80% of participants said that the Ambassador’s in-person workshops addressed core challenges related to EDI in the Ambassador workplace and provided practical strategies and tools that they could apply in their organization.
- Participants most valued actionable strategies for developing diversity and inclusion plans (69%), followed by practical advice on implementing these plans (62%). They also appreciated gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including EDI’s impact on the “bottom line” (57%).
- 80% of participants rated their knowledge of EDI best practices as 4 out of 5 or higher after completing the Ambassador workshop, up from 3 out of 5 or lower prior to it.
- 67% rated their confidence level as 4 out of 5 or higher in developing and implementing an EDI business plan following the Ambassador workshop, compared to just 28% prior to the workshop.
- 65% of participants believed they possessed the necessary skills to develop and implement an EDI business plan properly after the workshop, up from 22% prior to the workshop.
The Ambassador program was designed to increase employer awareness about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); improve EDI competence through education and training to employers on a wide array of EDI topics, such as unconscious bias, gender microaggressions, equitable branding, equitable recruitment processes, and techniques for supporting a diverse workforce; and identify specific opportunities and practical actions to increase gender equity within organizations, such as strengthening organizational visibility and brand by showcasing commitment to gender equity, refining language in job postings, improving recruitment strategies, improving workplace policies and programs on EDI, and improving organizational culture.
"ICTC's Ambassador program has been instrumental in driving tangible progress toward gender equity in the tech sector. By engaging EDI champions and empowering employers with the knowledge and resources to enact meaningful change, we’re creating real opportunities for women to further contribute and thrive in Canada’s digital-based economy.” — Namir Anani, ICTC President and CEO
Read the Report
Assessing Impact: ICTC's Ambassador Program
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national center of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, and with a team of 110 experts, we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale.
To arrange an interview on this study or other media inquiries, please contact Paul Stastny at @email or 403.351.0138 Ext. 823.
This study was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.
