Queen’s is committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity in its workforce. To help achieve this goal, Queen’s Human Resources has partnered with a national job broadcast service called Equitek.

Offered as an annual subscription, Equitek has over two decades of experience in assisting Canadian organizations to generate a qualified applicant pool of diverse candidates, who have been historically underrepresented, through a proactive recruitment network of job counsellors, job coaches, and mentors located in community Employment Resource Centres. Dozens of Canadian private and public sector organizations use Equitek, including the University of Ottawa, Centennial College, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

On Nov. 23, Equitek visited Queen’s to further explain their services as part of a half-day program focused on “Inclusive Hiring at Queen’s”.

“Becoming a more diverse and inclusive institution is not only the right thing to do, it is also essential to our success as we aim to recruit the top emerging talent and grow our international reputation,” says Teri Shearer, Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion), who provided opening remarks at the event. “Through the Equitek program, our job postings receive added exposure with a diverse group of job seekers, making them aware that their talents and knowledge are valued and in demand at Queen’s University.”

To maximize this service within our local community, and to ensure that Queen’s is attracting diverse job seekers, organizations within the Belleville to Brockville corridor who provide services to equity-seeking groups were invited to attend. Over 50 people gathered at Goodes Hall, including representatives of 16 local organizations.

The goal of the event was to encourage these organizations to sign up with Equitek, which costs the organizations nothing and which ensures that they will automatically receive every job opening that Queen’s posts.

“Our efforts help share Queen’s employment opportunities through a proactive recruitment network across Canada,” says William Stewart, Director of Canadian Operations for Equitek. “Through community employment resources across the country, we can expand the reach of Queen’s and help to generate an applicant flow of diverse candidates back to Queen’s to apply for available positions.”

Building a more diverse employee base was a key theme in the Principal’s Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (PICRDI) final report. Queen’s also maintains an Employment Equity Framework, which was drafted in 2015.

The formation of the Equitek partnership is one step the university is taking to further increase employment equity within Queen’s. In addition, the Equity Office and Human Resources are launching diversity and inclusivity professional development for all new hires. As new staff and faculty join the Queen’s community, they will participate in a 45-minute discussion about equity at Queen’s and are encouraged to make a personal commitment – recognizing that we all have a role to play in creating an inclusive Queen’s.

In the new year, the Equity Office and Human Resources will also roll out an employment equity process to several additional groups across campus. This process, a legislative requirement under the Federal Contractors Program, will support the university in meeting its objectives and creating a more diverse environment. Eight departments at Queen’s helped pilot the new process in 2017.

To learn more about Equitek, visit www.equitek.ca.