2023 Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards Winners Abbotsford School District, Chalo Freshco, Minuteman Press, Kal Tire, and Tracycakes (not pictured)
The Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards (IEEA) committee is now accepting nominations celebrating employers in Abbotsford and Mission who are committed to hiring people of all abilities.
Organized by Archway Community Services, Bethesda, Communitas Supportive Care Society, Mission Association for Community Living, and WorkBC – Abbotsford and Mission, the IEEA recognizes employers with inclusive hiring practices in their communities.
“Inclusive employers understand that by hiring talented individuals from different backgrounds to represent their business, that each person brings new skills and ideas to their team,” said Heather O’Brien, the manager of Community Living at Archway.
Since its inception in 2016, the event has grown with new businesses being recognized each year.
“I think the growth of this event is a testament to the commitment that employers have made to including people of all abilities and the value that inclusive hiring has had on their business,” said Matt Dirks, the chief innovative officer at Communitas.
New to the event this year, Mission Association for Community Living (MACL) joins as an organizing partner, expanding the nominations to include both Mission and Abbotsford.
“We are excited to join other supported employment programs in celebrating the inclusive employers within our Mission community. By participating in these awards, MACL aims to highlight and honour the critical role that inclusive employers play in creating a diverse and equitable workforce,” said Dawn Hein, chief executive officer at MACL.
The public also plays an important role in the inclusive hiring process by supporting local businesses with their purchases, by working in these businesses alongside people with diverse abilities, and by nominating inclusive employers they know of in the community.
Organizers of the IEEA are looking for nominations from the community in four categories:
- Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
- Creative Workplace Accommodations
- Community Champion for Inclusive Employment
- Emergent Inclusive Employer
Nominations can be submitted online at Archway.ca/IEEA.
Nominations will be open from June 15, 2024 – August 15, 2024. The winners will be awarded at a gala event in October, which is Community Inclusion month in British Columbia.
To learn more about the nominating process and information on each category, please visit Archway.ca/IEEA
“Inclusive employers understand that by hiring talented individuals from different backgrounds to represent their business, that each person brings new skills and ideas to their team.”
