UM shift workers explore equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA)
Everyone deserves the same opportunities. That’s a basic premise of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and why Extended Education is providing a special weekly in-person offering of EDIA 0100 Foundations for UM shift workers from April to June 2026.
This session is offered in partnership with the Vice-President (Administration) and the Office of Equity Transformation. It is part of UM’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, aligned with UM’s strategic goals.
While EDIA 0100 Foundations is open to all members of the UM community including students, staff and faculty, not everyone has had the opportunity to fit this EDIA training into their schedule.
“A lot of people in the UM community have desk jobs and can flex their time in order to take the course. But many of our shift workers including caretaking, operations management and tradespeople work long hours in physical roles and it is not so easy for them to fit this course into their schedules,” says Robin Attas, EDIA Specialist, UM Extended Education. “They work so hard for our institution. They deserve the same chance as everyone else to take this course.”
During these challenging times when budgets are tight and managers are making the effort to ensure their staff can fit this training in around shift work responsibilities, Attas asks UM community members to be patient and understanding in their expectations from Vice-President (Administration) units who are investing in the EDIA training of some of their workers.
“This is a program for everyone. Even EDIA training can present barriers and we want to eliminate them. Valuing EDIA and investing our time in it matters. It matters to everyone.”
Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity), whose office co-developed EDIA 0100 Foundations with Extended Education, says, “It is not limited to people in certain roles at UM. The course is for all of us in the university community. Learning is a foundational part of cultural change.”
Over 400 learners have taken the course over the past two years but Chen says, “We know there can be a range of barriers to participation. A lot of university training tends to be job-specific but this learning is for everyone, for personal growth, and to help create a better environment as we work together. Creating that type of access is a welcome challenge.”
Diversity is a fact, says Chen. “Differences exist. We want to recognize and value each other. This matters to us.”
For anyone who feels like they don’t belong, or that the high-level statements of the university like “Fostering a vibrant community” don’t apply to them, this course calls us into the shared work, says Chen.
“There are always things we can do to make this a better place. Everyone has their own reasons for participating. I am so excited to hear from them. Personal growth and connection to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility is available to everyone at UM, across all roles and positions.”
Raman Dhaliwal, Associate Vice-President (Administration) and Chief Risk Officer at UM, oversees about 600 people. More than half of them work in operations and maintenance, putting in long hours to clean and maintain the campus. Up to 20 of them will attend this offering of EDIA 0100 Foundations. For future sessions, she would also like to find a way to include some of her staff who support the central energy plant which runs all day every day.
Learners need to feel supported while they do the course, Dhaliwal tells managers. “Let them be away. Cover for them or provide them with catch-up time so they don’t come back to a pile of work. Taking the course is not a punishment. We want to make it as easy as possible.”
In these still male-dominated fields, a shift to increase inclusion of visible minorities, disabled people and women can only be made by equipping people with the knowledge and skills of EDIA, Dhaliwal says.
“It’s very important. The only way to get there is training everyone so they can pass it along.”
This is the first targeted offering of EDIA training for the UM community, says Attas. “It’s not mandated. People want to take it and we want to make that possible,” she says. “Working with everyone is important. There is always more to learn, for everyone.”
Creating space for everyone to thrive is more than a goal—it’s who we are. Fostering a vibrant community is among the commitments you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
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