b'DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSIONteachingontheirapproachtoDEIin the workplace.We spoke with Ticha to gather their insights into the current state of DEI in the Ontario construction industry, particularly as it relates to their participation as advisor for ECAOs DEI Committee. Ticha believes that we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to DEIthat the new generation of apprentices have less tolerance for bias of any kind and expectations of a safe, accepting and engaging workplace; that leadership buy-in is occurring on both the contractor and union sides; and that awareness and understanding of equity and inclusion are finally beginning to take a toehold across employee groups. At the same time, Ticha, whose personal experi-ences and jobsite observations of bias inform theirperspectivesonthecriticalityofthis cultural change, knows that the light is still a distance away. TichaseesECAOsDEICommitteeasa strong beginning in the long-term efforts to enable and support sustainable cultural change amongourmembercontractors.TheDEI Committee has beenand continues to beimportant [in] getting our entire industry and community on board with culture change that is beneficial to all. Bringing in Alex Willis and making his impactful DEI education available to members was huge. When you help peoples mental health, you help productivity, efficiency, thetopicofDEItomembercontractors.diversityandinclusionleadershiptrainingmoraleand,ultimately,thefinancialhealth Committee representation comprises a broadled by speaker, author, educator and formerof employers. rangeofindustryprofessionalswhobringNFL player Alex Willis. Over the ensuingWiththerecentlyannouncedchangein DEI experience, enthusiasm and expertise to12months,localunionandmanagementchairmanship to ECAOs Anthony Tofano and the tableincluding Ticha themself.leadership and staff completed six trainingthe addition of representation from the IBEW-AsignificantinitiativeoftheAdvisorymodules focused on DEI, and participantsCCO in James Barry, the DEI Committee is Committeein2022wasthelaunchofexpressedthesignificantimpactofAlexspoised for an energetic new start, and Ticha has Ticha wiring a 230,000V transformer panel.www.ecao.org22'