Industry Liaison, Edi

Reporting to NAIT’s Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Industry Liaison, Women in Skilled Trades plays a key role in supporting the strategy of both NAIT and WBF to create and expand opportunities for women to successfully enter a trades career. As part of the larger NAIT/WBF team, the Industry Liaison - EDI will play a critical role in supporting and implementing the overarching project objectives, which include: increasing the recruitment rates of women entering Red Seal trades in Alberta through a multi-media recruitment campaign that advertises NAIT’s ability to sponsor apprentices and the school’s ability to provide specialized, tailored support for women students; and increasing the retention of women apprentice employees in the Red Seal trades through nurturing more equitable and inclusive work environments.

This portfolio is an exciting component of NAIT and WBF’s commitments/goals - it supports the critical work both organizations are doing to support systemic cultural change. The Industry Liaison, Women in Skilled Trades partnerships will support women’s economic security and enable our organization to grow our impact across Alberta.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Work collaboratively across WBF’s stakeholder portfolio and alongside the team at NAIT, in partnership with industry and community groups, to support the development of a long-term recruitment strategy for women entering the Skilled Trades, with a focus on the 21 Red Seal trades supported by the project.
- Collaborate in establishing, and sitting on a Women in Skilled Trades Advisory Committee that includes women apprentices, industry representatives, and Red Seal trades instructors.
- Develop and Conduct needs assessments, in partnership with industry, to recruit and retain skilled women laborers in Red Seal trades.
- Recommend Employers to take part in WBF Work Proud Inclusivity Training Workshops and/ or utilize WBF to deliver Work Proud Inclusivity Training workshops.
- Act as a referral point for women who require additional support to connect with WBF for supports, readiness, alumni and WBF pre-apprenticeship programs.
- Refer industry partners and employers to WBF for delivery of Work Proud Inclusivity Training workshops for and gather feedback from participants.
- In collaboration with the team, plan and host networking events for prospective and current women in the Read Seal trades programs at NAIT.
- In collaboration with the team, hold an annual industry conference for women that includes workshops, guest speakers, and networking activities on cultivating equity, diversity, and inclusion in the industry.
- Recruit partners to participate in the project for the industry networking nights and media campaign.
- Collect, measure, and report data on project Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Prioritize internal communication, including information sharing, tracking of responsibilities and actions required of self and others, and regular updates to WBF’s Senior Manager, Workforce Inclusion.
- Engage with stakeholders to establish strategic partnerships and support implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives.
- Identify new relationships and work with stakeholder and donor relations teams to nurture existing relationships with WBF and NAIT partnerships.
- Represent WBF and NAIT at external events while clearly articulating our values, impact, strategy, and the ways of supporting WBF and NAIT confidently and professionally.

**Skills & Abilities**:

- Knowledge of the challenges of women working in non-traditional roles; cultural, economic, and social barriers to adult learning and employment.
- Proven demonstration in understanding of intersectionality, the ability to recognize how different social factors overlap and affect individuals’ experiences.
- Knowledge of the challenges facing Industry and how they relate to the ability to integrate EDI practices into operations and build trust with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic and changing environment.
- Communication skills: confidence and comfort speaking to folks from across sectors and at all levels of an organization, ability to communicate information in clear, concise ways, and adapt for a variety of participants and audiences.
- Interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy, are necessary to work with diverse backgrounds; one must be able to interact with a Canadian understanding of professionalism with a variety of internal and external client groups.
- Skills in working with Microsoft Office suite.
- Organizational and time management skills.
- Problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to work in a hybrid model, with some travel required.

**Qualifications**:

- Diploma or degree in a related field or Red Seal Certification (e.g., human resources, business, social science, public relations).
- 3 to 5 years of related experience, including experience working across EDI spaces.
- Valid Class 5 driver’s lic