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 Concept
Paper — Page 2 of 2
by
Suzanne G. Brainard, Ph.D.
Globally
Diversifying the Workforce in Science and Engineering (continued)
Targeted
Membership and Strategies
The target members
of the Global Alliance will include: corporations, colleges
and universities, governments worldwide and professional
associations. The specific strategies that will be used
to promote and to maintain the Global Alliance will include
but not be limited to:
- Maintaining
networks of academic institutions, corporations and
governments worldwide that are working toward diversifying
the workforce.
- Identifying
and sharing best practices for diversifying the workforce
in educational institutions, corporations and government.
- Brokering
relationships with US and international organizations
in higher education, corporations and government, and
connecting regional and international groups that share
these interests.
- Conducting
research, e.g., identification of country-specific barriers
to balancing the workforce.
- Developing
common formats, standards and criteria for data collection.
- Dissemination
of research, best practices, and model programs for
diversifying the workforce.
- Holding
two preconference meetings or working sessions in conjunction
with the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS) and Women in Engineering Programs &
Advocates Network (WEPAN).
- Conducting
pre- or post-conference forums and working sessions
worldwide in conjunction with international organizations.
- Developing
training materials and curriculum for recruitment and
retention strategies.
- Facilitating
exchange programs and opportunities for short-term mentoring.
- Conduct
training and technical assistance in establishing mentoring
programs and providing training for mentors and mentees.
- Conversion
and licensing of curriculum and training materials for
country or region-specific use.
- Offering
training seminars on strategies for diversifying the
workforce.
- Providing
a cadre of experts, who are acknowledged leaders in
diversifying the workforce; who have familiarity with
different cultures, who conduct organization specific
needs assessments, and offer other customized services
and technical assistance.
"The
only truly sustainable advantage that any company
has is the quality, commitment, energy and competitiveness
of all its people. We have to use the best talent
and experience we can find, regardless of race,
gender, sexual orientation, cultural or national
difference."
Alex Trotman
Chairman and CEO
Ford Motor Company
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Membership Services
The services offered to members of the Global Alliance will
include:
- Access
to the Global Alliance website
- Inclusion
on the Global Alliance listserve
- Directory
of Global Alliance membership institutions
- Links
to international women's groups and other related organizations
- Current
statistical data and analyses
- Conferences,
often held in conjunction with member organization's
annual conferences, including AAAS and WEPAN annual
conference.
- Small
forums held worldwide on topical issues
- Discounts
on Global Alliance products and services
- Access
to best practices in education, corporations, and government
- Biannual
Publication Series
Developing Advisory Board
The Developing Advisory Board is composed of executive level
and highly visible individuals representing higher education,
industry and government. Its primary functions are to provide
guidance in strategic planning and sustainability and making
connections to potential new partner organizations. Its
current members are: Dr. William Wulf, President, National
Academy of Engineering; Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head, Human
Resources & Education Directorate, AAAS, and Dr. Hans
Peter Jensen, President, Danish Technical University. Several
other invitations to corporate and higher education executives
worldwide are now being issued.
Source of Funds and Sustainability
In the beginning stages of the Global Alliance, seed funding
in the form of grants from federal, private and corporate
sources worldwide will be sought. After the Alliance has
passed its initial start up phase, it will continue to seek
funding for special projects, but it will also use other
strategies, such as fees for services, fees for products,
licensing agreements for curriculum and software and membership
fees.
Summary
If we are going to continue to make progress in creating
a more diverse and global workforce and continue to recruit
the best and the brightest of these diverse groups, we need
to begin to move beyond traditional approaches, and to begin
to think about a new paradigm which offers the opportunity
to make true systemic change worldwide. To do this, we need
to build upon the successes that recruitment and retention
programs have brought us in the last couple of decades;
and, through collaboration and cooperation, create a diverse
workforce that will add value and strength to this global
technological economy.
The Global Alliance in Science and Engineering for Diversifying
the Workforce offers an opportunity to share best practices
in education, industry and professional associations from
different countries and provide technical assistance to
groups looking for successful models. It also offers an
opportunity for industry to continue its influence on academic
institutions to produce a diverse group of graduates. Further,
it will create opportunities for new ways of thinking and
new perspectives about science and engineering professions
by the voices of people not traditionally targeted for science
and engineering careers.
"...If
in your employment practices you ignore 85 percent
of the newly available talent in this country, how
are you going to be a great company? How are you
going to compete against companies that recruit
from the country's entire pool of talent? And so,
if for no other reason than self-interest, we ought
to do more to maintain a diverse workforce. "
Norm Augustine
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Lockheed Martin
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