b'DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSIONideas. Id like to see a collaboration of con- the IBEW will all help change workplaces forto meet the needs of Ontarios growing and tractors and union on programs like Be Morethe better. evolving construction industry.Than a Bystander, a training course that hasCourageousandcommittedadvocatesfor been transformational inside organizations inECAOs DEI Committee invites applications Western Canada where it got its start, Tichachange like Ticha are critical to the sustain- fornewmembers.Applicantsmustbean said. Additionally, policies among construc- ability and health of employers and employeesECAOmemberormemberrepresentative tionemployersandtradeunionsmustalike. At ECAO, weve made it our business towhohasdemonstratedknowledgeofdivers-evolve, and there must be repercussions foractively seek out and advocate for partnershipsity, equity and inclusion and must be able to behaviours not in keeping with DEI practi- that position us to help our members explore alternativeresourcesforrecruitmentsuchasbuildmeaningfulrelationshipsandconnec-ces. The Occupational Health and Safety ActIndigenous centres and marginalized commun- tions within the industry. We invite qualified already lays out the structure for identifying,ities. These partnerships are increasingly criticalapplicantstocontactKamakshiAhluwalia investigating and addressing infractions, butto accessing a sufficient and skilled workforceat kahluwalia@ecao.org.weneedmorebuy-inandoversight.Asa Committee, we can help with that.In October 2022, ECAO became a signatory to the Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)LeadershipAccordonDiversity, Equity and Inclusion, and we were proud to state that we denounce all forms of bias andhate,andcommittodevelopingand nurturing a diverse, inclusive and equitable community of individuals dedicated to safely andcollaborativelyservingcustomersand our communities.Unlike many electricians, Ticha didnt come to the trade right out of high school, but after a university education and many years of employment in a range of occupations, includingseveralyearsasavolunteerfire-fighter as well as military training. As a new electrical apprentice at the age of 40, they understood the importance of learning on the job every day. Another opportunity to create a sustainable shift in attitudes and behaviours is through a change in the way people are apprenticed, Ticha stated. Being paired up with a skilled mentor and learning every day, understanding what constitutes appropriate and acceptable behaviour and the repercus-sions of not adhering to those standards, and greater collaboration between contractors and Ontario Electrical Contractor23'