VCC Finalist for Open Door Group 'UnTapped 2022 BC Workplace Inclusion Award'
Vancouver Community College (VCC) was recently honoured as one of three finalists at the UnTapped B.C. Workplace Inclusive Culture Champion Awards. The annual awards are organized and hosted by the Open Door Group (ODG), one of BC’s largest not-for-profit providers of employment services.
Representatives from VCC, joined the Binners' Project and Canucks Autism Network as the top three finalists out of 16 organizations nominated in the non-profit and public sector category.
“Congratulations to the Canucks Autism Network who was the award recipient for this category,” says Moira Gookstetter, Executive Director, VCC Foundation. “Being a finalist among such inspirational inclusion leaders is a great honour for the college.
As a part of its commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion on campus, VCC has had a long-standing partnership with Open Door Group. The college was nominated for the award by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).
Adds Gookstetter, “It was wonderful to be nominated by RBC and share in this experience with their team. Thank you, RBC, for your continued support and for your important partnership with VCC.”
The non-profit and public sector category recognizes local organizations that go beyond their mission to serve the community. As employers, the nominees “walk the talk in demonstrating equity, accessibility, and inclusion to their own workplace.”
These workplaces have clear goals and easily identifiable reporting metrics when it comes to inclusion in the workplace. They introduce innovative ways of engaging people with disabilities within their community.
VCC and RBC representatives at the Untapped Awards ceremony.
UnTapped BC Workplace Inclusion Awards is an annual event that celebrates B.C. businesses and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering accessible and inclusive workplaces.
The awards were attended by a strong VCC contingent including Nigel Scott, Associate Director, Student Accessibility; Ali Oliver, Disability Services Advisor; Elaine Pedersen, Associate Director, Organizational and People Development; Pam Khinda, Manager, Partnership Development; Beth Beeching, Community and Career Education Department Head; and Moira Gookstetter.
Representatives from RBC were Kevin Ebert, Senior Commercial Account Manager, Not-For-Profit & Public Sector – Commercial Financial Services and Carmen Stossel, Regional Director, Community Marketing & Citizenship, BC Region.
Congratulations to all the nominees!
MORE INFO
The UnTapped BC Workplace Inclusion Awards helps to recognize the outstanding achievements of BC employers and individuals who are leading the way in diversity and inclusion in the workplace. More and more businesses today are beginning to look to this untapped talent pool as a key component of their business strategy because they know that inclusive employers attract top talent.
From large businesses to non-profit organizations, from managers to frontline staff, the BC Workplace Inclusion Awards honour those who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering accessible, inclusive workplaces.
Beginning in 1976, Open Door Group has helped BC employers in both urban and rural communities connect with skilled candidates, many who come from non-traditional talent pools. Serving over millions unique job seekers per year and working with more than 8,000 of employers across the province, Open Door Group sees UnTapped as the premier platform to advance dialogue and transfer knowledge among organizations committed to progressive development through diverse, inclusive, and productive workforces.