RAM Receives the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Award from ACEC-BC’s Awards for Engineering Excellence

RAM is proud to announce that we are the recipients of the 2023 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC) Awards for Engineering Excellence – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion award.

ACEC BC – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award

ACEC-BC represents more than 80 consulting firms who collectively employ 10,000 people across BC. Its purpose is to serve the interests of members through advocacy, creating opportunity for collaboration, and building profile for the industry. In 2021, ACEC BC introduced the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion award to recognize and raise the profile of members taking direct action to advance the values of equity, diversity and inclusion. In 2020, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee proposed this award to build awareness of the actions members are taking to advance EDI and recognize the effort necessary to support change in our industry. The award is selected by a panel including representatives from the ACEC-BC Board & Committees based on nominations submitted by member firms. The make-up of the judging panel recognizes that actions to advance EDI are not the responsibility of any one person or group and should be considered core to the business practice of every member firm.

Recognizing RAM’s Impact On The Community

In their selection, the jury discussed that equity, diversity, and inclusion is not a program introduced at RAM, but a way of being. Integral to the culture of the organization and additive to the growth of the organization, supporting different people to engage and benefit from consulting engineering practice was clear in everything RAM does. The jury particularly valued RAM’s relationship with Indigenous people and the integration of RAM’s philosophy of engagement in our policies and processes. While larger firms have financial and administrative capacity to build complex programs, the jury agreed that the award recognizes the impact on people and the RAM story was one they wished to share more broadly with members.

RAM’s Commitment to EDI

RAM’s commitment to EDI is reflected in corporate policies and initiatives, hiring and employment practices, and community outreach projects that increase awareness of challenges faced by equity-seeking groups and foster inclusion through behaviors and actions. RAM’s internal policies and programs have had significant and sustainable impact on the company’s behavioural expectations. In 2019, RAM signed the BC Builders Code Acceptable Worksite Pledge, demonstrating our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive working environment. For four consecutive years, RAM has been a recipient of the Builders Code Champion award, which recognizes companies for their commitment, leadership, and action towards increasing the retention and advancement of women in the construction industry. RAM’s Employee Resource Groups (ERG)’s, including R(AM)EDI, Young Professionals Group, and Innovation Council, have provided staff with a sense of community and belonging. These inclusive groups provide employees with opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and professional development. Specifically, REDI’s main functions is not only to track, report on, and implement RAM’s existing EDI policies, but also to advance and educate EDI principles company wide.

Externally, RAM invests in the training and development of those from minority groups. For two consecutive years, RAM has awarded three scholarships to indigenous youths from different nations (Musqueam Nation, Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and Acho Dene Koe First Nation) to pursue a degree in STEM-related fields. Since 2019, RAM has sponsored UBC’s Geer Up initiative, helping students explore STEM concepts in a fun, engaging and inclusive environment. To recognize RAM’s continuous support, UBC’s Applied Science department wrote an article documenting our commitment to the STEM outreach program.

RAM recognizes Indigenous communities play an important role on current projects and is committed to implementing engagement and consultation processes that build relationships with local communities, engage local resources, and support customer-community values and commitments. The priority of these partnerships is to ensure the Nations have the capacity and training to lead these projects. This allows them to become self sustaining, support their community, and secure more work in the future. Building these behaviours into RAM’s culture ensures diversity and inclusion are valued and promoted at every level. We have applied these approaches directly to our projects with Acho Dene Koe on the Highway 7 Remediation project, with Gitga’at First Nations in their community projects including a Daycare Facility and Marine Emergency Response & Research Facility and with Cook’s Ferry Indian Band on the rebuild of Highway 8.

RAM’s policies and programs have also made a significant sustainable impact to the community. Over the past three years, RAM has supported the United Way of BC (UWBC), raising over $50,000 through fundraising campaigns. On RAM’s 15-year anniversary, RAM donated $1,500 each to 15 different charities chosen by employees. Additionally, our Directors have been recognized for their leadership through the Women’s Infrastructure Network awards. RAM also supports and consults with Indigenous group on projects on their land through Memorandum of Understandings (MOU), capacity building and mentorship on projects. We believe that our diverse team has helped meet the diverse needs of the communities and groups we serve.

RAM is honored and proud to accept this award, as it recognizes the impact of our workplace culture and how that culture leads to better outcomes for our team and clients.