Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Center
Welcome to the ACEC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Resource Center! This is your go-to source for practical tools, expert insights, and actionable strategies to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. We are dedicated to supporting our members to create environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
ACEC has identified DEI as a critical strategic priority for the continued growth and competitiveness of the consulting engineering sector. Our current focus is on supporting members in promoting and advancing gender diversity within their workplaces.
Explore our curated resources, specifically designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in the engineering industry. If you're just embarking on your DEI journey or aiming to deepen your impact, you’ll find the guidance and support you need here.
There are up to 7 resource categories for you to choose from; simply click on one of the links below or on the name of the resource on the right-hand side menu.
Submit New Resources
We encourage you to contribute to our DEI Resource Center. If you have valuable resources, guides, or articles that can support our members in advancing their own DEI initiatives, please submit your suggestions here; please ensure you provide your full name, contact information, link to the resource’s website or attach a file.
Your contributions will help us build a more comprehensive and beneficial resource center for everyone in the engineering community.
(Note to Leanne/Marty: The numbered sections below are the proposed T2 sections)
Creating the Business Case for DEI
Building a strong business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is crucial for gaining support from stakeholders and driving meaningful change within your organization.
Discover how to quantify the benefits of diversity and build a compelling case for advance in DEI initiatives.
Articles:
The Business Case for DEI: Ask Catalyst Express, Catalyst
Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter, Catalyst
Toolkits:
Making the Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CCDI
Making Change: Creating a Business Case for Diversity, Catalyst
EDI training webinar for engineers and geoscientists, Engineers Canada & Geoscientists Canada
Reports:
Diversity wins: How inclusion matters, McKinsey & Company
Diversity Dividend Canada’s Global Advantage, Fondation Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Guides:
Reaching 30 by 30 Promising Practices for Increasing Diversity & Inclusion in Engineering, Engineers Canada
Mentoring and Sponsorship
Mentoring and sponsorship programs are powerful tools for supporting the professional development of underrepresented groups.
Learn how to create effective programs to develop and advance mentorship and sponsorship programs.
Articles:
Mentorship and Sponsorship: Catalysts for Women’s Career Advancement, LEAD Magazine
Mentorship and Sponsorship Are Keys to Unlocking the Next Generation of Talent, Catalyst
Supporting young professionals in your workplace, CCDI
Reports:
Open Doors and Breaking Down Barriers. Highlights from Engineering Professional Success: OSPE’s Pilot Mentorship Program for Female Engineering Graduates – 2017, OSPE
Positive reviews for the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec’s pilot project “Mentoring for Women Engineering Students”, Engineers Canada
Hiring and Interview Practices
Inclusive hiring and interview practices are essential for attracting and retaining diverse talent.
Attract, hire, and retain a diverse workforce through inclusive recruitment and onboarding practices.
Articles:
Inclusive Recruitment: Ask Catalyst Express, Catalyst
6 Best Practices For Creating An Inclusive And Equitable Interview Process, Harvard Business School
Can You Spot The Gender Bias In This Job Description?, Catalyst
Toolkits:
Employer’s Tool Kit – Foreign Trained Professionals, Global Experience, Work Project-Quinte
Make Equitable Hiring Decisions With Structured Interviews, Catalyst
Reports:
Women in the Workplace, McKinsey & Company
Environmental scan report 30 by 30 and beyond. Strategic priority 3: recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in the engineering profession, Engineers Canada
Guides:
Inclusive Hiring Practices, CCDI
Guideline for Engineers and Engineering Firms on Workplace Equity for Women, Engineers Canada
Gendered Language and Stereotype Awareness for Hiring Committees, ONWiE
Managing Transitions
Managing transitions effectively is key to retaining diverse talent and nurturing an inclusive workplace culture.
Support employees through life transitions and create a culture of belonging.
Articles:
The Ultimate Employer’s Guide to Maternity Leave, Adecco
Reports:
Managing Transitions 2023, Engineers Canada
Guides:
Managing Transitions: Before, During and After Leave, Geoscientists Canada and Engineers Canada
Activating Employee Resource Groups
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in promoting inclusion and fostering a sense of community within organizations.
Empower employees to drive change through ERGs.
Articles:
Why Companies Must Pay Attention to Women’s Health – And What ERGs Can Do to Help, Catalyst
10 Powerful Quotes from enERGize 2024, Catalyst
7 Key Tips for Executive Sponsors of ERGs, Catalyst
Toolkits:
Employee Resource Groups, CCDI
ERG Resources, Catalyst
Guides:
30 by 30 K-12 Outreach Guide, Engineers Canada
Catalyst Guide to Employee Resource Groups, Catalyst
Setting Goals and Measuring Progress on Your DEI Efforts
Setting goals and tracking and measuring the impact of your DEI efforts is essential for continuous improvement.
Set goals, track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Articles:
How to measure inclusion in the workplace, Harvard Business Review
How to Research and Implement DEI Metrics, Crescendo
7 Metrics to Measure Your Organization's DEI Progress, Harvard Business Review
Metrics for Diversity and Inclusion: Local, National and Global, Julianne Gallimore
The Gender Proportionality Principle in Action, Harvard Business Review
To Make Real Progress on D&I, Move Past Vanity Metrics, Harvard Business Review
25 Examples of Awesome Diversity Goals, ONGIG Blog
Diversity And Inclusion Progression Framework, Royal Academy of Engineers
Reports:
2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transparency Report, Deloitte
What Gets Measured Gets Done, Measuring the Return on Investment of Diversity and Inclusion. Canadian Institute of Diversity and Inclusion
The 2024 Top 50 Companies for Diversity List, Fair360
Guides:
Measuring Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Best Practices and Practical Recommendations to Support the Journey, ACEC
How to Measure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Gartner
Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering Measurement, Royal Academy of Engineering
Strategies to Enhance Women's Representation
Provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women in engineering and to offer potential solutions.
Learn how organizations and communities can play a role in fostering gender equality
Article:
Achieving Gender Balance at All Levels of Your Company, Harvard Business Review
Women's Participation in Engineering, National Engineering Month 2024, Agilus Work Solutions
International Women in Engineering Day 2024: Why It Matters and How It Started, RJC Engineers
Women in Engineering, Engineers Canada
Shifting Gears to Increase Women in Engineering, UNACTO
The Facts about Women and Leadership in Canada, Canadian Women’s Foundation
Reports:
Women in Engineering Literature Review, ACEC
Advancing Women & Diversity in Consulting Engineering, ACEC
Calling All STEM Employers: Why Workplace Cultures Must Shift to Change the Gender Landscape 2018, Engineers Canada Ontario
Women in Science and Engineering in Canada, NSERC-CRSNG
2022 Canada Undergraduate Enrollment Report, SWE
Employment of Women in Engineering, SWE
Stemming The Tide: Why Women Leave Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Gap Analysis Report. Gender Inclusion in SETT: Effective Strategies for Systemic Change, CCWESTT
2020 National Membership Information, Engineers Canada
Notable projects:
Women in the Workplace: A Shift in Industry Work Culture, APEGA
Engineers Canada 30 by 30 Initiative, Engineers Canada
WCE Member Survey to gather feedback and experiences from women in engineering consulting, WCE
