Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Black & Veatch Insights

Many Americans face employment barriers, including low computer literacy, unreliable transportation, and lack of internet access. Simultaneously, employers are struggling to fill open positions with qualified candidates. These challenges are increasing the demand for innovative solutions (such as Black & Veatch’s mobile and modular units) designed to facilitate workforce development initiatives. The good news is that addressing these challenges benefits everyone involved — job seekers, businesses, and community members. Here are answers to three key questions about this community development issue, including how construction industry professionals can help:

1. What is workforce development?

Workforce development encompasses various programs that create and maintain a viable labor source to sustain current and future business demands in the community. These initiatives aim to teach marketable skills to unemployed individuals and to train or upskill underemployed individuals into more advanced careers. Workforce development training programs usually are designed to teach specific knowledge and skills that are required to fill open career positions in a local market. Successful workforce development solutions will include recruitment, pre-employment training, on-the-job training, apprenticeship, and other forms of skills development and education.

2. What are the main barriers to workforce development?

Knowledge. Unemployed and underemployed community members often are unaware of job opportunities available to them. Employment obstacles such as language barriers, communication challenges, computer literacy, and lack of general resources often prevent capable job seekers from pursuing career opportunities.Transportation. Mobility is a primary issue for many job seekers. Public transportation often is not available, timely, or convenient. Many unemployed and underemployed individuals may not have a reliable vehicle to get to dispersed job training centers for skills development.Technology. Online job training programs have been developed to mitigate transportation issues, but the Federal Communications Commission reports that 19 million people in the United States don’t have high-speed internet access in their homes. Many unemployed and underemployed individuals also lack basic computer skills or don’t own a home computer at all. These factors have serious impacts on a prospective employee being able to apply for jobs, even if that job doesn’t require advanced computer skills to be successful.Childcare. The unavailability of affordable childcare options is especially impactful on women seeking career advancement or re-entering the job market. Childcare is cost-prohibitive for those seeking training and employment, and adequate childcare services often are unavailable in some neighborhoods and communities.Cost. In addition to the costs of the previously mentioned factors, seeking employment has other financial-related barriers. Underemployed individuals may not be able to afford to lose wages from time spent seeking additional training. Purchasing professional clothing for interviews may not be affordable for jobseekers either.

3. How can the construction industry address these challenges?

According to the Associated General Contractors of America, recruitment and retention are essential to the future of our industry. Black & Veatch is working towards closing future labor gaps by partnering with local high schools and community colleges through career advancement programs. We’re also adapting our Rapid Modular Systems (RaMS) to overcome education, transportation, and technology barriers through the first-ever Digital Equity Bus. There are many other ways that construction firms can address workforce development challenges that also directly benefit our businesses:

Align training with industry needs through apprenticeship programs that mix pre-employment instruction with on-the-job trainingMake benefits and training program information publicly available in a variety of formats and languagesOffer training for industry-recognized certifications (such as OSHA 30)Provide additional employment benefits including per diem for transportation to the job site and flexible spending accounts (FSA) for childcareEducate local students on the career path and earning potential of skilled trades professions

Workforce development initiatives foster a rare “everyone wins” situation. These solutions provide community members with fulfilling jobs and help businesses hire qualified workers. Our communities will prosper as workers take pride in providing for their families and stimulate the economy through more disposable income spending. Big companies tend to put down roots where labor is available, creating higher tax revenue and job stability.

Black & Veatch is committed to “doing well by doing good” through workforce development and other community-based programs for the underserved. Contact us to learn more about Black & Veatch’s workforce development solutions and how we can meet the unique needs of your community.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

1. Small Businesses in Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Portland, are now eligible to apply for a comprehensive grant package that includes business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover.

2. During its initial two-year program, 13,000 small businesses were awarded over $110 million in monetary, marketing, and technology grants through the Comcast RISE program.

PHILADELPHIA, May 23, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Comcast announced a new round of businesses in five cities will receive grants through Comcast RISE, providing 500 more small businesses, with comprehensive grant packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover.

Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community investment. The program was created to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.

Beginning on June 1, and through June 30, eligible businesses in Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Portland, can apply for a grant package at www.ComcastRISE.com. A total of 100 grants per city, or 500 grants overall, will be announced in August and awarded in September 2023, bringing the total number of recipients to date to 13,500.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are essential to building strong and thriving local communities,” said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast.

As small businesses transition from pandemic recovery to a focus on expansion and growth, Comcast RISE is proud to help strengthen and empower these deserving businesses and entrepreneurs.

LOREN HUDSON

SVP and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast

Comcast RISE stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment. Comcast RISE was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, by providing the grants needed to survive and recover. The program will evolve from helping businesses survive the pandemic, to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.

Grant packages will include:

CONSULTATION: Assessment of business and tactical planning; business to business coaching; and mentorship to advise on how to grow business.EDUCATION RESOURCES: Educational content and resources tailored to individual companies based on where they are in their business lifecycle.MONETARY GRANT: $5,000 monetary grant to invest in growth and sustainability.CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA: Turnkey production of a 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and 180-day media placement schedule.TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER: Computer equipment and Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.)

In addition, any small business owner can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote.

Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

More information and the applications to apply for a grant package are available at www.ComcastRISE.com.

NEW YORK, May 23, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Tapestry, Inc. (NYSE: TPR), a leading New York-based house of iconic accessories and lifestyle brands consisting of Coach, kate spade and Stuart Weitzman, today was named by Points of Light a 2023 honoree of The Civic 50, recognizing the top community-minded companies in the United States according to an annual survey. Points of Light is dedicated to accelerating people-powered change.

Now in its eleventh year, The Civic 50 is a national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact, civic engagement and community to the core of their business. The Civic 50 honorees are companies with annual U.S. revenues of at least $1 billion and are selected based on four dimensions of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs: investment of resources and volunteerism, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement.

Tapestry is on a journey to create a values-driven, people-centered company that balances true fashion authority with meaningful, positive change. The company and its house of brands put corporate citizenship at the core of its business, through its work in social impact, sustainability and equity and inclusion.

“Tapestry and our brands are driven by a shared purpose to stretch what’s possible for our people, our planet, and our communities. We believe that by working to address some of the most pressing issues facing our communities and planet – including empowering diverse voices and talent, providing resources around mental health and well-being, and improving sustainability in the fashion industry –we can build a better-made future for all,” said Joanne Crevoiserat, Chief Executive Officer of Tapestry, Inc.

In 2023, Points of Light recognized Tapestry for its work in several key areas, across its three brands:

VOLUNTEERING and GIVING

Tapestry Gives, Tapestry’s global employee engagement program offers all global employees, including part- and full-time corporate, field and fulfillment center employees, up to one paid day a year of Volunteer Time Off to support causes they are most passionate about. FY2022 marked the most volunteer hours completed by employees since the company set its 2025 goal in 2018.Tapestry also uses its financial resources to invest in communities where the company does business. In FY (Fiscal Year) 2022, the company reached $40M in collective giving across all three brands to dozens of nonprofits that align with social impact goals. Tapestry also donated $30M in product donations in FY2022 through programs like Coach Dream It Real Closets and other strategic allocations tied to the missions of the brand’s respective foundations.

SUSTAINABILITY

In 2022, Tapestry launched a $3 million four-year partnership between the Tapestry Foundation and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) designed to accelerate the development of an industry-wide standard to certify deforestation and conversion-free (DCF) leather originating from Brazil as part of Tapestry’s commitment to transparency and supply chain traceability.

ACCESS and INCLUSIVITY

Dream It Real is the Coach Foundation’s core mission focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers for the next generation of young people who have the courage to dream it real. Dream It Real has reached over 150,000 young people around the world and has a goal to provide 5,000 scholarships to students by 2025.kate spade new york is a champion for women’s mental health for over a decade and believes that good mental health is a fundamental human right for everyone. Through its social impact work, kate spade new york aims to address a truer, fuller spectrum of a woman’s joy by putting mental health at the heart of their women’s empowerment work. In 2021, kate spade new york and its foundation invested $3 million to support the empowerment and mental health of women and girls with 25 partners globally. In addition, the company has continued to use its brand platform to help destigmatize the topic of mental health and bring resources to its employees, customers and community.In FY22, Stuart Weitzman expanded their partnership with Vital Voices investing in the organization to help launch the Bold Moves Grant. This effort directs significant investment to five inspiring women leaders, fostering lasting change in their communities.

“Companies play a critical role in creating thriving, participatory communities,” said Diane Quest, interim president and CEO, Points of Light. “Companies like Tapestry set a model for others, showing how to best use employee talent, business assets and integration to create meaningful impact, and we’re thrilled to uplift and celebrate their work as an honoree of The Civic 50 2023.”

The Civic 50 survey is administered by True Impact, and the results are analyzed by VeraWorks. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate community engagement.

CONTACTS:

Tapestry, Inc.

Media: 

Andrea Shaw Resnick

Chief Communications Officer

212/629-2618

aresnick@tapestry.com

Analysts and Investors:

Christina Colone

Global Head of Investor Relations

212/946-7252

ccolone@tapestry.com

Kelsey Mueller

212/946-8183

Director of Investor Relations

kmueller@tapestry.com

# # #

About Tapestry, Inc.

Our global house of brands unites the magic of Coach, kate spade new york and Stuart Weitzman. Each of our brands are unique and independent, while sharing a commitment to innovation and authenticity defined by distinctive products and differentiated customer experiences across channels and geographies. We use our collective strengths to move our customers and empower our communities, to make the fashion industry more sustainable, and to build a company that’s quitable, inclusive, and diverse. Individually, our brands are iconic. Together, we can stretch what’s possible. To learn more about Tapestry, please visit www.tapestry.com. The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TPR.

Follow and connect with Tapestry on LinkedIn and Instagram or visit our newsroom. To build your future at Tapestry, find our latest job opportunities on our careers page.

About Points of Light

Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.

We believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us stronger, and it’s woven into all facets of our business. At Bath & Body Works, a diverse supplier base is a key element of how we put our DEI commitments into action.

Since 2003, Bath & Body Works’ supplier diversity program has supported business and leadership development for suppliers from traditionally underrepresented or underserved groups to better position them for growth and inclusion in corporate supply chains.

Guided by our values, diversifying our supply base drives economic development in underserved communities and helps level the playing field in our procurement practices. This model also helps to create jobs, new skills, and support economic capacity within those communities.

“Investing in Supplier Diversity is a key business strategy that invites different perspectives and experiences and gives us the opportunity to discover innovative solutions for our business” says Kelli Holcomb-Acoff, General Manager of Procurement for Bath & Body Works. “Additionally, by focusing on inclusion and support of diverse suppliers, we can directly impact the communities where our customers live.”

Bath & Body Works is committed to working with suppliers that are majority owned or operated by traditionally underrepresented or underserved populations including women; Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native Americans; LGBTQIA+ individuals; veterans and service-disabled veterans; and people with a disability, to ensure they have fair and equitable access to become our business partners.

We work in partnership with local and national organization initiatives to support our program. Currently we’re mentors with Disability: IN, a nonprofit organization which works to effect change for people with disabilities in business. During this year-long mentorship program, we’re paired with a Disability: IN certified supplier, connecting them with subject matter experts throughout the business to share guidance and expertise.

Last year Bath & Body Works launched a pilot program to support our incumbent suppliers in obtaining certification—certification verifies that a company is owned and operated by an individual in one of the dimensions of diversity, providing visibility to other corporations that they are a diverse supplier.

Though Bath & Body Works has fostered a supplier diversity program for 20 years, we’re aiming to deepen and expand our relationships with diverse suppliers in the years to come. We have partnered with leaders across our business to develop a roadmap for a best-in-class program which further broadens economic vitality and prosperity in underrepresented communities and provides fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to our business.

For more information on this program, visit our site here.

At Lenovo, we are proud to have ambassadors that embody our mission of creating Smarter Technology for All. One such advocate is Kate FitzGerald, ISO Customer Sales Transformation, Global Solution Selling Program Manager at Lenovo, who has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of children with profound multiple learning difficulties.

Kate has been working with The Ridgeway School to refurbish their new sensory room using technology to create a safe, immersive experience for pupils. She first worked with the Surrey-based school—that caters to pupils between the age of 2 and 19 years who have severe and/or profound multiple learning difficulties—in September 2021 as part of our annual Global Month of Service. Leading a team of volunteers, they built a Wild Immersion VR experience and a virtual fish tank on site.

Wild Immersion, which is endorsed by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, is designed to raise awareness of the natural world through the power of VR. Videos were recorded in wildlife reserves around the globe, using 360-degree cameras to see the animals up close in their own environments.

Wearing a headset, students could fly alongside flamingos, sit in a tree with giant pandas and sloths, wallow in the mud with buffalos, and swim amongst tropical fish.

“Research has suggested that virtual reality-based therapy can greatly improve the lives of neurodivergent children, by bringing science and technology into their world in the capacity they can understand,” Kate said.

“I saw first-hand the impact VR can have on children back when I worked with The Ridgeway School in 2021. Children who didn’t normally engage, engaged. Non-verbal children made noise, and some even spoke. Children with little eye movement were actively tracking the movement of the animals in the headset where staff had thought they could not see.”

Now, supported by the Lenovo Foundation, Kate has been back to The Ridgeway School and worked closely with Deputy Head Teacher, Tom Byrne and Julian Hitchin, on revamping the school’s sensory room with the replacement of key pieces of equipment, enhancing its functionality.

Complete with floor-to-wall and kaleidoscope projectors, bubble tubes and multicolour LED lighting, the room will combine a range of stimuli to help students develop and engage their senses.

“I was thrilled when Kate approached me about revamping our sensory room. It’s a subject that is close to my heart having written a dissertation on the impact of virtual reality technology on students’ engagement within a special educational needs setting as part of my Masters,” Tom said.

“We’ve already seen great results from our use of VR in the classroom. For example, we had one pupil who never waits for anything, however, was prepared to wait for 20 minutes for his turn on the VR. Another child who found it very hard to verbalize and put sentences together in a normal classroom setting was able to communicate clearly what he was watching when using VR as there were no distractions or people that he could see.

“The knock-on effect for children using VR cannot be underestimated in a special learning development setting.”

As well as positive results from the students, the sensory room has also been met with encouraging feedback from parents who have commented on the clear impact of VR on their children.

Looking to the future, the school has big ambitions for how it will continue to use technology to support students. This includes creating its own content to help prepare children for school events, such as going to the local church for Harvest Festival, which would make these events even more accessible for pupils.

With over 1.3 million pupils with special educational needs in England alone, sensory rooms are vital for providing a safe and impactful learning environment for those with developmental disorders.

The Ridgeway School and Lenovo are leading the way in using immersive technology to support students with nonverbal, verbal, and social skills.

“We know that technology is central to how we live, work, and play but to see how new Lenovo technology can impact children’s development is inspiring. Working with Ridgeway School has shown me the power of AR and VR technology to improve our lives and I look forward to seeing where we can go next,” Kate said.

By Nicole Wyatt

It wasn’t just the PGA TOUR Champions that hit the links for the 2023 Regions Tradition. This year, everyone got a chance to pick up a club.

Inspired by the 2022 Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am participation of adaptive golfer Chris Biggins, Regions Disability Services and Outreach Manager Kathy Lovell worked with United Ability to get those with all abilities onto the greens.

“I love doing things that are different and offering hope for individuals with disabilities to be able to try new things,” Lovell said. “We had this vision, and it is so wonderful to put that vision together with great partners, great coaches and great support.”

I love doing things that are different and offering hope for individuals with disabilities to be able to try new things.
Kathy Lovell, Regions Disability Services and Outreach Manager

The vision was to show United Ability adult participants that they, too, can play golf. Biggins, along with military hero and sports enthusiast Noah Galloway, Cairns Cup Champion Chris Osborne and Miles College Golf Coach Leonard Smoot came together to present a golf clinic to nearly two dozen participants at the Regions Tradition.

“For them to get to experience the beauty of all of this, getting instruction and encouragement and the hands-on learning is something they’ve never had before,” said David Barry, director of Communications and External Affairs for United Ability. “This is such an amazing opportunity for adult participants in our program to get outdoors, to exercise and to connect to their community, which is part of our mission and vision.”

For Biggins, it means sharing his love of golf even further.

“Golf is a sport that’s made me a person beyond my disability. I’m not a disabled person when I’m on the golf course, I’m a golfer,” Biggins said. “We want to grow the game of golf, we want to show that it’s something that people with disabilities, without disabilities can enjoy and bring them into the world that I’ve found so much love in.”

Golf is a sport that’s made me a person beyond my disability.
Chris Biggins

Lovell said based on the excitement of the participants, she believes the love of the game has permeated the clinic.

“To see the smiles on the faces and to hear the clapping, we’re having fun and that’s what it’s all about: giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of everyone within our community,” Lovell said.

“I hope they take away that anything is possible and that they’re encouraged by the words they heard because I know Chris, Noah and the others, they’ve all experienced disability in one form or another but yet they’ve overcome it,” Barry said. “Now they’re living their best life which is what we hope the adults in our program do is live their best life every single day and being here makes that happen.”

Smokey tailpipe emissions may soon be a thing of the past, as the heavy transport vehicle market catches up with the electric car market to lower their contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Private sedans and light-duty trucks lead the vehicle electrification race, leaving much upside opportunity for heavy transport fleets such as trucks and buses to catch up.

In the United States, data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reveals that while overall GHG from passenger cars and light-duty trucks declined over the past decade, medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses still chugged out well over 200 teragrams of C02 over the same period (see Figure 1).

In Europe, the transportation industry must urgently decarbonize its trucks and buses to achieve the Paris Agreement target of keeping global warming below 2°C. Although these two heavy road vehicles represent only 2% of vehicles on the road, they emit a quarter of all transport-related GHG. That is according to a study by the non-profit research organization International Council on Clean Transportation.

These data points bode well for automakers who are investing in electrifying their heavy transport vehicle models to tap into the electric truck market growth. Worth only US$2.4 billion in 2022, this market is expected to surpass $15.6 billion by 2030, says a Precedence Research report.

While China takes the lead with the highest number of electric truck registrations globally, supported by a strong EV battery manufacturing industry, other regions are rapidly stepping up their learning curves.

Longer range, faster charging, V2G-enabled

One of the biggest challenges in electrifying heavy vehicles is extending the driving range per hourly charge. Unlike designing passenger sedans, engineers working on the next electric truck model must ensure the battery has enough electric power to ferry heavy loads over longer distances. They also need to factor in fast-charging capabilities and future-proof these electrified fleets for a vital vehicle-to-grid (V2G) role, where EV batteries can serve as mobile power banks on wheels.

Meeting the needs for longer range, faster charging, and future-ready V2G capabilities starts at the battery cell chemistry level. Depending on the battery performance specifications, cell developers need to analyze how each electrochemical cocktail will perform (see examples in Figure 2).

EV battery cells come in different form factors: cylindrical, pouch and prismatic. These cells are connected to form modules and packs. An electric truck can have as many as 20,000 to 30,000 cylindrical cells organized into huge battery packs, with each pack weighing as much as a grand piano.

The different cell chemistries come with trade-offs in weight, capacity, performance, fast-charging capability, packaging, and recyclability. Some battery types require different battery management and thermal management systems, which may add cost and specific packaging requirements to the heavy vehicle. This is where testing at the battery module and pack levels is essential to ensure these heavy-duty electric fleets perform as expected, especially on long-haul journeys.

It is common for electrified heavy vehicles to use battery packs of 800 V and higher. Developing such powerful battery solutions can be costly due to energy consumption, cooling costs, and safety considerations.

This is where regenerative power and new wide bandgap (WBG) power semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) chips enable more efficient battery testing technology. These WBG power devices reduce switching and conduction losses, improving thermal management.

Coupled with regenerative technology, the battery testing process can now recycle as much as 96% of the energy used in testing back to the grid instead of losing it as dissipated heat, which will incur immense air-conditioning cooling costs.

In the foreseeable future, electric transport fleets with high-capacity battery packs will play a key role in enabling the V2G vision.

These battery packs can alleviate concerns of insufficient battery energy storage systems as more renewable energy supplies from wind and solar connect to the grid. The batteries can store excess energy generated by renewable energy sources, and sink the electricity back to the power grid during peak power utilization periods.

The electrification of heavy vehicle fleets holds much potential to contribute to a cleaner transportation future, while helping to lower carbon emissions. Keysight is committed to helping automakers and battery manufacturers with their design and testing needs. Check out our available online resources or contact us to discuss your needs.

The Fort Hills Cares Committee, a group made up of frontline workers and management representatives at our Fort Hills operations, has led a renewed focus on health and safety priorities across the site. Click this link to learn more about their efforts.

“We struggled with attendance at the Fort Hills Joint Worksite Health and Safety committee — a lot of it was down to meeting fatigue from the pandemic and other challenges,” says Jason Wyman, who took over as the management co-chair for the committee in mid-2021. “The committee is structured to focus on health and safety priorities across the site. Its work is important enough that every worksite in Alberta is legislated to have one with representatives from management and the frontline workforce.”  Instead of accepting the status quo, the committee took a new focus and a unique name — the Fort Hills Cares Committee — with some fresh faces around the table of six management and 10 worker representatives from each business area and shift.

It was one of those regular meetings on the calendar where participants didn’t always see the point of attending, let alone participating.

“We struggled with attendance at the Fort Hills Joint Worksite Health and Safety committee — a lot of it was down to meeting fatigue from the pandemic and other challenges,” says Jason Wyman, who took over as the management co-chair for the committee in mid-2021. “The committee is structured to focus on health and safety priorities across the site. Its work is important enough that every worksite in Alberta is legislated to have one with representatives from management and the frontline workforce.”

Instead of accepting the status quo, the committee took a new focus and a unique name — the Fort Hills Cares Committee — with some fresh faces around the table of six management and 10 worker representatives from each business area and shift.

“We wanted to reset the team and bring in different ideas and energy,” says Jason, Director of Tailings Operations at Fort Hills. “We knew we needed a cultural change and saw the committee as a great opportunity to strengthen Human and Organizational Performance principles, which are being introduced across the company to help build a stronger safety mindset, within Suncor’s business. We wanted feedback from our frontline workers and to create a venue to put chronic health and safety issues on the table and jointly solution them.”

The Fort Hills Cares Committee went out of its way to meet with frontline workers and share its mission.

“And we were very intentional in getting in front of workers at toolbox talks and area safety meetings to seek their input,” he says. “We made presentations at the lodges where Fort Hills workers stay while on their shift to encourage them to raise their concerns with their representatives on the committee. The committee’s employee co-chair JM Bilodeau started excellent outreach work and it has continued with Steven Rodger, who replaced him as co-chair in 2022.”

Speaking directly with the workforce highlighted some safety opportunities for the refreshed committee to address along with some solutions.

“We received feedback to establish a new emergency meeting point for the fuel depot at Fort Hills. We also widened mine roads in response to feedback about the sightlines at some mine intersections,” says Steven, a boilermaker who works in Extraction. “Addressing those concerns has helped the committee in its goal to improve the safety culture at Fort Hills.”

That work has extended to recognizing clever ideas put forward by the workforce.

“We created a championship belt similar to what you see worn by boxers or wrestlers and present it to somebody every month who have put forward a great idea to improve safety,” says Steven. “It’s all a part of bringing together front-line workers who are most familiar with the work with leadership, who can remove obstacles. That’s how you drive positive change.”

Energized by Edison

Shulie Tornel ENERGIZED by Edison Writer

From a young age, Janna Lee often visited Morro Bay with her family. She was captivated by the sleepy fishing village’s serene waters and spent hours on the shore exploring and picking out her favorite rocks. Family trips to state and national parks planted a seed in Lee that has bloomed into a deep fondness for the environment. 

Today, Lee devotes as much time as she can to community outreach and volunteering. She serves as the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Teen Science Café Leader and is co-president of Palos Verdes High School’s Science National Honor Society. 

“Instead of just focusing on getting good grades, she got involved with the Point Vicente Interpretive Center as a Junior Docent and the Aquarium of the Pacific. She wanted to broaden her opportunities,” said Jennifer Lee, Janna’s mother. “It took up every weekend. I would always ask, ‘Janna, don’t you need downtime to do other things?’” 

Her answer would always be the same, “Mom, my downtime is for the Aquarium of the Pacific and volunteering.” 

Lee plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley this fall. “I hope to study environmental science and policy, how humans interact with nature and how we can protect it,” Lee said. “I live by the ocean and I’ve visited every national park. I want to do something to give back to our planet.” 

Lee is among 30 high school seniors across Southern California Edison’s service area selected as 2023 Edison Scholars. The annual Edison International program recognizes students who are committed to working toward positive change in the world. Each Edison Scholar receives $50,000 to help them pursue a college degree in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). The program is fully funded by shareholders. 

Steven Powell, SCE president and CEO, surprised Lee and her family during a recent lunch period to deliver the good news.

“For Southern California students, this scholarship can help close the gap in their financial ability to pursue the education they need to fulfill their dreams,” Powell said. “We are proud to help these students as they make their impact on the world and look forward to them joining us in building a clean energy future.” 

Scholars who meet the minimum requirements and complete the required screening are also eligible for a paid summer internship with SCE upon completing their first year of college. 

When classes at Palos Verdes High School moved to a virtual environment, Julie Maemoto, science teacher and advisor of the Science National Honor Society, fondly recalls meeting Lee in her anatomy and physiology honors class. 

“She stood out in a COVID year where students were behind the screen,” Maemoto said. “Her engagement in great discussions, in small groups and as a sophomore in a senior class made her a leader for me that year.”

Loraine Loh-Norris, a math teacher and Palos Verdes High School engineering department chair, expects Lee to embrace policy and law and find like-minded students in college. 

“This scholarship is going to allow her to take advantage of more opportunities in college. Hopefully, she’s going to help our world with our current climate and global issues and make a huge impact,” Loh-Norris said. 

Lee plans to do exactly that in college and beyond. “Plants can’t speak for themselves and I hope to advocate for them and the planet. I hope my future education and career will make a difference on our planet.” 

Learn more about the scholarship program at edison.com/edisonscholars

CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTO CREDIT: ERNESTO SANCHEZ

VIDEO CREDIT: ERNESTO SANCHEZ AND JOSEPH FOULK

The latest episode of The Sustainable Finance Podcast is now live, featuring our very own Andy Cartland and Gloria Mirrione. If you’re not yet familiar with Paul Ellis and The Sustainable Finance Podcast, it boasts a series of interviews with sustainable finance experts from top companies and global organizations like Schroders, FTSE Russel, The London Stock Exchange Group, Gitterman Wealth Management, and many more. 

In the episode, Andy and Gloria provide insights into the crucial role that finance plays in making a positive impact in the transition to a more sustainable economy, and the talent required to lead the change needed. 

Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/ej9ScUdw

If you like what you hear, stay tuned for more of this partnership airing over the next six months.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy. 

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change. 

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too. 

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations. 

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.