Women in Engineering Committee

Engineers Nova Scotia formally established the Women In Engineering Committee in 2014.

Vision: To promote the increased participation and advancement of women in the engineering profession.

Purpose: To actively work towards the goal of having 30% of newly licensed engineers as women by 2030 and to support the women members of Engineers Nova Scotia through planning and promotion of networking and outreach activities.

In recognition of the interest and opportunities, the Committee created three subcommittees that all Engineers Nova Scotia members are welcome to be part of. Here is a list of those subcommittees, their purpose and some potential projects.

1) Youth Engagement: Develops and nurtures relationships with other groups interested in the promotion of Engineering (and other STEM areas) to youth in Nova Scotia. Improving engagement of underrepresented groups in these roles by:

Promoting the career - utilizing connections to promote Engineering to youth
Supporting events - providing guidance, materials, and volunteers as required
Providing advice - facilitating and promoting events presented by Engineers

2) Improving Work Conditions: Identifies and creates resources to assist members and employers in creating equitable, diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Best practices guide development
Awards/Recognition/Support
Database of resources

3) Networking and Mentorship: Fosters relationships between members with different lived experiences to increase a sense of belonging in the profession by sharing stories, providing guidance, encouraging understanding, and developing skills.

Networking
Mentorship
Skill development sessions, workshops

If you are interested in contributing to one of these subcommittees please send an email to wiecommittee@engineersnovascotia.ca identifying which subcommittee you are most interested in.

Resources

A Guide for Women in STEM: Closing the Gender Gap

Make Possible – Mentoring network to advance women in STEM careers

Women in Engineering and Technology

Engineers Nova Scotia Women in Engineering Volunteer Showcase - Slide Deck

Leading Remote Teams with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

DiscoverE's Persist Series

Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome

Equity And Accessibility In The Workplace

Social justice isn’t enough for true diversity in the workplace

D&I Done Right: How to Create a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Q&A: Michael Bach makes the business case for diversity and inclusion

UBC Gender Equity & STEM Conference turns challenges into opportunities

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Virtual Library

COVID-19 causing a 'she-cession,' impacting women in skilled trades

EDI in the engineering profession: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

EDI in the engineering profession: the importance of maintaining momentum on diversity and inclusion initiatives

WIE COVID-19 Resources

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)

Transitioning Through Maternity Leave

Parental and Maternity Leave Benefits Infographic

Managing Transitions Guide - Engineers Canada

Engineers Canada, in partnership with Geoscientists Canada, recently released Managing Transitions: Before, During and After Leave, which is intended to assist engineers and geoscientists who are considering maternity or parental leave and their employers. It provides extensive checklists and outlines steps that individuals, supervisors and companies can take to help smoothly off and on ramp employees taking a leave of absence.

“This guide will be a tremendous resource for new parents and for their employers,” said Kim Allen, FEC, P.Eng., the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Canada. “The guide and its recommendations will go a long way to creating welcoming workplaces in the engineering and geoscience professions with good leave practices that will attract talented employees.”

Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada are both dedicated to enhancing gender diversity in their respective professions, where women remain under-represented.

Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada thank the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Alberta (APEGA), and acknowledge the groundbreaking work done by the women and men of the Women in APEGA group. That group created the foundational document, Managing Transitions: Before, During and After Leave, upon which this national guide is based.

Engineers Canada also thanks its Sustainable Profession Committee for their contribution to this national guide.

PD Sessions

Being Conscious about Bias: The Role of Bystanders in Workplace Culture

Breaking the Bias in STEM

The Engineer - Past Articles

Tools for Intervening: What to Do when Encountering Bias

A Positive Pause

Spotlight Event 2020

Engineering our Own Unconscious Bias

A Positive Pause

Group Mentoring - A Personal Advisory Board

Engineering Students Help Others Understand Mental Health on Sexton Campus