Welcome Introduction
Welcome To the Red Deer Digital Economic Inclusion Toolkit. This toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to support employers, businesses, and policymakers in understanding and leveraging the services and resources available to promote economic inclusion across Red Deer.
This toolkit will serve as a key guide in fostering equitable access to digital resources, access to training programs, and economic opportunities, with a particular focus on future proofing the Red Deer Labour market.
By improving access to essential tools and learning pathways, the toolkit aims to empower individuals and communities that have questions on how together we can boost economic participation in Red Deer.
This initiative is dedicated to building a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient labour market in Red Deer, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive in this economy.
COMPONENTS OF THE TOOLKIT:
1. Digital Resource Access Guide
• Video onboarding on how to access digital toolkit
• A comprehensive guide that links employers to local, provincial, and federal programs and resources to increase labour market opportunities
• Links to free or low-cost courses and certifications for additional supports
2. Service Mapping Platform
• A user-friendly, interactive map that identifies available services across Alberta.
• Services include language programs, job training, business development resources, financial support programs, and networking opportunities.
3. Training Support and Resources Available
• Information sharing with professional designation organizations, scholarships available, volunteer for work experience opportunities and cultural learning trainings for both employers and employees
4. Economic Opportunities and Job Matching
• A portal or section that connects employers with organizations working to build capacity for the workforce.
• Identifying Red Deer’s economic development’s outlook on job market trends, identifying relevant offerings for job-seeker support through resume building, interview prep, and job fairs and how to redirect rejected employers to these services
MONITOR AND MEASURE PROGRESS
To ensure the inclusion strategies are effective, it’s important to regularly monitor progress.
a) Track Participation and Engagement
What to Do: Measure how many employees from marginalized groups are engaging with the training programs and digital resources provided.
Toolkit Resource: Utilize any available tracking tools provided in the toolkit, or develop your own tracking system to monitor employee participation.
b) Review Workplace Inclusivity
What to Do: Conduct regular reviews of the workplace environment to assess how inclusive it is. This could include anonymous surveys, feedback sessions, and focus groups with employees from marginalized backgrounds.
Toolkit Resource: Use the feedback channels mentioned in the "Policies for Economic Inclusion" section to collect and evaluate employee feedback.
c) Adjust Policies and Practices
What to Do: Based on the feedback and tracking data, make adjustments to your workplace inclusion strategy as needed. Ensure that inclusivity remains a priority, and refine policies to address any challenges.
Toolkit Resource: Revisit the "Policies for Economic Inclusion" section to adjust or add new policies based on employee feedback.
PROMOTE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Economic inclusion is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and adaptation to new challenges. To ensure long-term success:
a) Foster a Culture of Inclusion
What to Do: Encourage a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. This could include regular workshops, inclusive leadership training, or celebration of diversity events.
Toolkit Resource: Refer to the "Training Programs for Marginalized Groups" section to provide ongoing learning opportunities.
b) Share Success Stories
What to Do: Celebrate your successes! Share positive stories of how economic inclusion has benefited both employees and the business. This could inspire further action and investment in inclusive practices.
Toolkit Resource: Use the "Digital Resources for Inclusion" and "Training Programs for Marginalized Groups" sections as examples of successful programs that have worked well in other organizations.
UNDERSTAND THE TOOLKIT'S PURPOSE
The Digital Economic Inclusion Toolkit aims to:
Promote inclusivity: Help you identify and integrate practices that ensure equal access to resources and opportunities for marginalized groups.
Improve access to digital resources: Provide tools for enhancing access to digital technologies and training programs for underrepresented groups.
Create a stronger labor market: Support policies and practices that promote a more inclusive labor force in your region or workplace.
EXPLORE KEY SECTIONS OF THE TOOLKIT
The toolkit is divided into several key sections, each designed to address a specific aspect of workplace inclusion. Take time to explore the following areas:
a) Digital Resources for Inclusion
What It Is: This section provides a list of digital tools and platforms that can be used to increase access to training, job opportunities, and resources for marginalized groups.
How to Use It: Use the provided links and resources to access digital platforms that support diversity and inclusion initiatives, from training programs to job boards.
b) Training Programs for Marginalized Groups
What It Is: A curated list of training programs aimed at underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, immigrants, and people from marginalized communities.
How to Use It: Review the available training programs and encourage employees to participate in those that can improve their skills, enhancing their opportunities in the workforce.
c) Policies for Economic Inclusion
What It Is: A guide to understanding the policies that can be adopted to promote economic inclusion in the workplace, including diversity hiring practices, accessibility, and employee support systems.
How to Use It: Review the policies and integrate those that align with your workplace's goals. Customize and implement them into your workplace charter.
IMPLEMENTING THE TOOLKIT IN YOUR WORKPLACE
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the toolkit’s resources, the next step is implementation. Here’s how to take action:
a) Set Clear Inclusion Goals
What to Do: Identify your organization’s specific inclusion goals. These might include increasing hiring diversity, offering more professional development opportunities for underrepresented groups, or improving workplace accessibility.
Toolkit Resource: Use the "Policies for Economic Inclusion" section to help set specific, actionable goals.
b) Integrate Tools and Resources
What to Do: Integrate the digital tools and training programs into your workplace inclusion strategy. For example, encourage employees from marginalized groups to access digital resources that can help them develop new skills.
Toolkit Resource: Refer to the “Digital Resources for Inclusion” and “Training Programs for Marginalized Groups” sections.
c) Train Leadership and Staff
What to Do: Use the toolkit’s resources to educate managers and staff about economic inclusion and how they can support marginalized groups in the workplace.
Toolkit Resource: Use the "Policies for Economic Inclusion" section to guide discussions in leadership meetings about best practices for supporting inclusion.
CONCLUSION
We hope you found the toolkit helpful in discovering valuable resources and opportunities. To help us continue improving and support your efforts further, we invite you to contact the Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership.
Please reach out to us at info@rdlip.ca to share your thoughts, ask questions, or learn more about additional resources available in Red Deer. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to work together toward a more inclusive community!