Employment Equity Training

Through a collaborative partnership between the Equity and Inclusion Office, Human Resources Services, McMaster Continuing Education, and key consulted groups, the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Program (IELP) is a professional development series designed to equip people leaders to action EDIA priorities through their leadership practice. This program is open to McMaster’s academic and non-academic people leaders.

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The Employment Equity Facilitator Program, overseen by Human Resources Services and supported by the Equity and Inclusion Office, has been established to train, support and coordinate a decentralized McMaster faculty members and staff hiring managers who will facilitate the advancement of institutional and Faculty/Departmental employment equity priorities and goals, including the development and implementation of employment equity plans as outlined in McMaster’s Employment Equity Framework and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. Please see the Employment Equity Program Description for more details.

EEF Training Overview

The EEF Training is a dynamic cohort-based 10-hour learning experience designed to empower you with the tools for supporting and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA).

1. Live Virtual Orientation (1 hour)
Start your learning with an engaging overview of the program and what to expect, meet other participants in your cohort, and build connections that will enrich your learning journey.

2. Three Self-Paced Asynchronous Modules (7 hours)
Access interactive content on Avenue to Learn (A2L) and build your knowledge at your own pace:

• Human Rights & Equity Fundamentals (~2.5 hours)
• Unconscious Bias (~2 hours)
• Equitable Recruitment & Selection (~2.5 hours)

Please note:

• Access to the asynchronous modules within Avenue to Learn will be granted only after attending the Orientation session.
• Each module includes a short evaluation before moving to the next.
• All modules must be completed before the Workshop.

3. Live Virtual Applied Learning Workshop (2 hours)
Wrap up with a collaborative session to apply concepts, share insights, and strengthen your skills.

Upcoming Orientation and Training Dates (to be confirmed):

• Winter 2026: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (10:00am – 11:00am) and Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (10:00am – 12:00pm)
• Fall 2026: Thursday, October 1, 2026 (10:00am – 11:00am) and Thursday, October 29, 2026 (10:00am – 12:00pm)

Note attendance is required on both days in order to complete the training.

Complete your Expression of Interest Form and Register Here to participate in an upcoming cohort! 

Additional Important Notes:

• Equitable Recruitment and Search/Selection Committee (ERSC) Training is offered on a regular basis to support ongoing hiring and recruitment needs.
• The EEF Program is intended to complement, but not replace, the ERSC Training. Both offerings work together to strengthen equity and inclusion practices; however, the EEF role involves specific and additional expectations that extend beyond those of individual search processes.
• If you have already completed (or are planning to complete) the EEF training, you are not required to also complete the ERSC training. However, EEFs are welcome to take the ERSC Training – Advanced Version as a refresher, as needed.

McMaster University’s Equitable Recruitment & Search/Selection Committee (ERSC) Training is a three-part professional development program designed to support equitable hiring practices and foster an inclusive workplace culture. The training aligns with McMaster’s EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) strategy and equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to promote equity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process.

The ERSC training includes three modules: Human Rights and Equity Fundamentals, Unconscious Bias, and Equitable Recruitment and Selection. These modules are delivered asynchronously through Avenue to Learn. Each module takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to complete, depending on whether participants are enrolled in the Standard Version (for Search/Selection Committee Members) or the Advanced Version (for Faculty Members, People Leaders and Employment Equity Facilitators).

Note the training is valid for 3 years after the most recent Completion Date on record, and allows participants to serve on any Search/Selection or Hiring Committee during this period. Should there be any significant updates or revisions to the established processes, these changes will be communicated accordingly to stakeholders as needed.

Enrollment Process

Individual Enrollments: To enroll, please complete the ERSC Training Enrollment Request Form.

Group Enrollments: Training Coordinators (e.g., Faculty/Department Administrators or similar role) may submit a list of individuals requiring training to Ayo Osinowo at osinowa@mcmaster.ca for enrollment in the appropriate version based on the participant’s role. Please include the following information:

• First and Last Name
• McMaster Employee (or Student) ID
• Email Address (McMaster Email preferred, please)
• Indication of Faculty Member or People Leader role, if applicable

Please visit Equitable Recruitment and Search/Selection Committee (ERSC) Training for more detailed information.

McMaster has a vision to achieve international distinction for creativity, innovation and excellence as a student-centred, research-intensive university, and to embody values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork. Implicit in McMaster’s vision and values is its aspiration towards inclusive excellence – the notion that diversity is integral to quality in teaching, research, service and governance.  The revised SPS A1 – Faculty Recruitment and Selection Policy and Procedures and the newly developed companion Handbook are guided by best practices for talent acquisition and integrating principles of employment equity and inclusive excellence through search processes. The Policy, Procedures and Handbook will enable McMaster to attract the most diverse talent pool and achieve the most equitable, inclusive and meritocratic faculty hiring practices and decisions.

For additional information and resources related to the policy and associated processes, please visit the SPS A1 resource page.

The Faculty and Staff Hiring Guides are resources to assist with diverse recruitment, promotion, and retention. The Staff Hiring Guidelines provides guidance and consolidates resources to assist in conducting fair and equitable searches for staff at McMaster University. It presents ideas for how to help your department or faculty lay the foundation for attracting and successfully recruiting diverse candidates.

The following is a working and non-exhaustive list of jobs boards, professional associations, and organizations that provide employment services to different equity-seeking groups and communities.  This resource page may change over time.

Explore additional learning opportunities to advance your knowledge of Inclusive Excellence at McMaster.

Learn More.

We have also developed an Employment Equity Postcard and Employment Equity Handbook, and encourage managers, supervisors, chairs, and directors to share these resources with new employees, committee members, and to post on information boards within your areas.