It should come as no surprise that diversity and inclusion are crucial for Sarnia-Lambton businesses to navigate and thrive in the coming years.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) has announced a new program to equip area businesses with the skills to integrate inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility into their operations.
The Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Leadership Academy program, is a free, six-hour, self-paced initiative designed for registered businesses in the Sarnia-Lambton area.
“Last year, we launched the Newcomer Connection Program, which included a two-day diversity training,” says SLEP Economic Development Officer Cari Meloche. “From feedback, local businesses expressed interest in an e-learning format. That’s how the IDEA Leadership Academy came about.”
Some learning modules in the IDEA program will cover topics such as building inclusive environments, attracting and onboarding diverse talent, and sustaining diversity in the workplace. The program emphasizes real-world applications to help businesses meet the increasing demand for diverse perspectives and leadership.
“We view this as an excellent opportunity for economic growth, aligning with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership's strategic plan to attract talent to the area,” explains Meloche. “Additionally, it supports the efforts of the Sarnia-Lambton Immigration Task Force, which focuses on attracting and retaining newcomers to address workforce challenges.”
Meloche states that projections estimate a demand for 19,500 jobs in the Sarnia-Lambton region by 2030 due to retirements and job growth. "With our aging demographics, we need to attract a diverse workforce to fill these gaps,” she adds. The IDEA Leadership Academy aims to do just that by expanding businesses' search parameters.
“We encourage local businesses to register soon, as seats are filling up,” Meloche notes. “Since we launched the program on October 1st, 25% of the seats have already been reserved through the training portal. There are only 100 seats available and each business is allowed two participants. Businesses have until September 2025 to complete the training.
To learn more about the program and to register, please visit Sarnia-Lambton IDEA Leadership Academy