Nominations are now being accepted in Abbotsford and Mission for employers who are committed to hiring people of all abilities.
The Inclusive Employers Excellence Awards (IEEA) are organized by Archway Community Services, Bethesda, Communitas Supportive Care Society, Mission Association for Community Living (MACL), and WorkBC – Abbotsford.
Nominations are accepted until Aug. 15, and the awards will be presented at a gala event in October, which is Community Inclusion Month in B.C.
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
"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, 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, chief innovative officer at Communitas.
New to the event this year, 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," said Ainsley Gibson, supervisor of employment services at MACL.
"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."
Nominations can be submitted online at archway.ca/IEEA.
