Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Lane Workforce Partnership recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are an active process that requires constant commitment and opportunities for continued learning and growth. We will continuously strive to reach this vision through aligning services, cultivating collaborative partnerships, supporting community development, and engaging multiple perspectives and voices.

INTENT

WHY

CHALLENGES

RESOURCES

INITIATIVES/INVESTMENTS

INTENT

  • Enhance understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues
  • Catalyze value-based initiatives to support cohesive and longer-term approaches
  • Develop effective strategies to successfully recruit and retain a diverse workforce
  • Invest in efforts that work towards strengthening our regional economy
  • Empower leaders and decision makers to push boundaries
  • Support individual and organizational developmental gaps
  • Promote relevant and accessible tools, resources, and trainings
  • Showcase inclusive leadership and practices across the region as well as the benefits from the inclusive behavior
  • Review of old “best practices”
  • Bring economic justice to the agenda

WHY FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace has proven to show a variety of positive results as in bringing different perspectives, increased creativity, higher innovation, faster problem-solving, better decision-making, higher employee engagement, reduced employee turnover, better company reputation, improved hiring results, and increased profits.

We are committed to provoking and supporting productive conversations along with different ways of thinking. As the Workforce Board for Lane County along with committed members of this community, we believe we have a duty to influence positive change.

CHALLENGES

  • Economic inefficiencies
  • Labor force shortage and Under-utilization
  • Organizational readiness
  • Recruitment & Retention *worksite culture*
    • Occupational segregation
    • Implicit bias and Unconscious bias
    • Microagression
    • Marginality
    • Oppression
    • Stereotype threat

RESOURCES

INITIATIVES AND INVESTMENTS

Lane County Latino a/x Leadership Workgroup was formed in partnership with The Oregon Community Foundation – Latino Partnership Program, Palo Alto Software, and Lane Workforce Partnership. Each gathering brings together Latino a/x leaders from different sectors and influences. These meetings are structured to inspire and facilitate personal connections and help mobilize community-driven solutions.

This group of individuals were invited to assist with: co-creating a vision and purpose, organize and advocate around a strategic budget and policy agenda; and partner with leaders and public officials to advance change.

The Lane County Latino a/x Leadership Workgroup is co-facilitated by Dr. José Meléndez, Assistant Professor of Planning for Engaging Diverse Communities at the University of Oregon’s School of Planning, Public Policy, and Management. 

The Ask and Commitment of Participants:

  • Use their influence to support and advocate for under-represented and minority communities and strengthen resilience among our community.
  • Foster relationships between government, business, education, and charitable institutions in creating a health Eugene/Springfield economy.
  • Be involved in creating constructive and sustainable pathways for our community.

Goals/Themes (no particular order):

  • Community building; within this group, our own Latino a/x community, and more broadly
  • Creating a sense of belonging
  • Jobs and the economy
  • Social capital
  • Education (Birth and Beyond)
  • Leadership and Professional Development; across the entire spectrum
  • Financial literacy and wealth building
  • Leadership support

Lane County Latino a/x Leadership Mission/Vision Statement

Shift Bias, Understanding Belonging Lane County Leadership Cohort

Shift is helping people and organizations on their journey towards understanding and embracing equal justice and belonging, empowering people to make a lasting impact and creating systemic change. Virtual Reality (VR) technology is used as an important educational tool to augment existing training. Shift’s VR addresses skill gaps by providing immersive, hands-on training that closely simulates real working environments. The platform offers portable, on-demand training that can be used any time, any where with assessment measures to objectively gauge learner proficiency, remove human subjectivity, and offer a granular picture of the learner’s progress and areas for improvement. “Virtual reality learners completed training 4 times faster than classroom.” The experience is designed to allow the learner to be immersed in another’s life giving them the ability to feel true empathy through perspective taking. 

Course Flyer

Technology Association of Oregon and Lane Workforce Partnership have teamed up to offer a new, six-week peer cohort workshop series designed for HR and Hiring Managers to upskill around Cultural Intelligence for team performance.

Building an inclusive culture in a remote work environment has been one of the biggest challenges for companies in the pandemic. Returning to the office creates new opportunities to shape and influence company culture in new ways. This course is designed for leaders located in the Southern Willamette Valley who are looking to take the next step in their personal development. Participants will walk away with a detailed action plan for practicing and growing their Cultural Intelligence. Participants will also be able to apply the lens of Cultural Intelligence to shape effective diversity, equity and inclusion practices within their organizations.