What is the current EDI situation in the HFD (i.e. how diversely representative is the current workforce)?
What are the current inclusion practices and equity policies? What are the potential and existing barriers in employment opportunities for the community?
Project Description:
The Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) recognizes that its workforce is not currently representative of the diversity of the community. The 10 Year Fire Service Delivery Plan that was endorsed by Council in 2019 recognizes the need to further develop recruitment strategies to increase diversity and inclusivity within our organization. According to the 2016 census, 1 in 5 Hamiltonians identifies as a visible minority.
In order to have a workforce that is more reflective of the city’s population, the HFD has developed the following objective and initiatives:
Objective: Skilled and Diverse Workforce
Initiative: Identify strategies using an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens to build a diverse workforce that reflects the community.
Specifically, we are looking to partner with students and faculty on some or all of the following projects:
What opportunities can be utilized to encourage residents who are currently underrepresented in the workforce to apply for available positions through strategic communications and outreach within the community?
What potential or existing barriers exist to employment opportunities that may not enable participation in the process?
What current opportunities exist to enhance our recruitment efforts?
What opportunities are available for HFD to continue to support and encourage an environment that fosters retention and success?
Challenge Summary:
The challenge is a multi-stage process to understand the following:
What is the current EDI situation in the HFD (i.e. how diversely representative is the current work force? What are the current inclusion practices and equity policies?)
What are the potential and existing barriers in employment opportunities for the community?
What are the best EDI practices for recruitment and retention of employees in the HFD?
How can we operationalize these best practices to enhance recruitment and foster retention?
In the first phase of this project, students will be focusing on the first two questions raised above.
City Staff: Helen Klumpp, Executive Officer, Hamilton Fire Department
Faculty, Course & Students: Shahad Al-Saqqar & Jen Pearson, McMaster University, Course: HTHSCI 4D06, 4D09, 4D12
Where will the work go and what will it be used for: Information and recommendations received will be presented to Hamilton Fire Department Senior Leadership Team. This will be done in conjunction with our Human Resources Department and our Corporate Communications support to ensure alignment with City initiatives and guidelines. Identified action items and subsequent implementation plan will inform our HFD annual work plan on recruitment strategies with a goal of implementation for 2022 recruitment cycles.
