CAAP Collaborates with Clean Energy Center (CEC) to Enhance Workforce Diversity
The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Clean Energy Center (CEC) aimed at bolstering workforce solutions for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Leveraging their extensive experience in supporting the growth and diversification of the Weatherization sector, CAAP will spearhead efforts to address workforce challenges.
As part of the collaboration, the CEC will provide ongoing assistance in developing and implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies to enhance workforce recruitment, readiness training, and retention efforts. This partnership comes at a crucial time as organizations seek to build more inclusive work environments.
To kickstart the partnership, CAAP has launched a bi-annual network-wide DEI Survey, encompassing weatherization both within and outside of Pennsylvania. This survey aims to track progress in implementing DEI best practices and identify exemplary initiatives across the network to drive action. Additionally, the survey enables CAAP staff to assess efforts for continuous improvement, identifying areas of opportunity and growth to better serve diverse communities across the Commonwealth.
In tandem with this initiative, CAAP has unveiled six new training courses on CAAPLearn, further enriching resources for workforce development and diversity initiatives. This comprehensive approach underscores CAAP's commitment to fostering an inclusive workforce and advancing DEI efforts within the community action network.
NEW CAAPLearn Courses:
Exploring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, commonly referred to as DEI, are important to building both a happy, fulfilling workplace and a respectful, understanding society. This course is an introduction to DEI designed to create a base from which to grow. This introductory course will help you gain an understanding of what DEI looks like in real life.
Stereotypes and Assumptions: Unpack the impact of stereotypes and assumptions in this course, exploring their various types and gaining practical strategies to combat and challenge them effectively. Our brains are wired to categorize everything we see, including people. It is important for us to continuously work and reflect on stereotypes and assumptions we hold – especially those we do not easily notice.
Understanding Bias: Learning about biases and their impact on our everyday life is an important part of DEI. When we can understand our beliefs and where they came from, we can understand why we treat people the way we do. This course will also examine how biases show up in the workplace and identify ways to address them. We will also examine how biases can show up in the workplace and how to stop them.
Microaggressions: To foster a culture where everyone feels valued and included, we must examine how our words impact others. We spend a lot of time at work and by better understanding microaggressions we can both address and prevent them, creating a more inclusive environment for all. This course will help us figure out how to respond and react to microaggressions in a way that helps us become a stronger team.
Workplace Culture: By using a DEI lens, we can create a workplace culture that is welcoming and allows all staff to thrive. There will be barriers and challenges to improving culture. Its important for us to understand the foundational elements needed to create a sustainable and equitable environment. This course is designed to help align your understanding of how implementing a positive workplace culture can create and maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace for all.
Inclusive and Equitable Hiring and Management Practices: Inclusive and equitable hiring ensures the right talent is brought on board, contributing to a positive work environment, increasing productivity, and fostering diversity. Management practices must be in place to ensure the high-quality workforce is maintained to shape organizational culture positively. This course will help you understand the importance of using a DEI lens throughout the hiring and retention of employees.
Are you a Weatherization or CAA Staff Member? If yes, then you may have access to CAAPLearn! Click the button below to learn how to create a CAAPLearn account.