Hatch supports the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering in Québec
September 23, 2020
Montréal, Québec— Hatch is pleased to announce that it has invested in the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE) in Québec for a five-year period (2019-2023). The goal of the CWSE is to increase the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in this field.
Sponsorship of the CWSE is just one of the ways that Hatch is strengthening its commitment towards equity, diversity, and inclusion. The company believes that diversity and inclusion fosters a plurality of thought and perspectives, a key ingredient to solving complex problems and creating value for its clients, communities, and the global population.
Hatch’s financial commitment, totaling $50,000 over a five-year period, aims to achieve the following:
- PRESENT AND DEMYSTIFY the possibilities offered by STEM to counter stereotypes.
- EDUCATE AND SUPPORT various groups in order to eliminate the barriers that impact girls’ career choice and the retention of women in STEM.
- MOBILIZE AND BRING TOGETHER the stakeholders around the promotion, recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in STEM.
- UNDERSTAND AND REPORT ON the status of women in STEM in Québec in order to explore possible solutions to help promote their advancement.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) runs the Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering program, which aims to increase the participation and retention of women in science and engineering and to provide role models for women active in, and considering, careers in these fields. The CWSE program is national—with one Chair for each of the Atlantic, Québec, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia/Yukon regions. An important part of the successful delivery of the program is supporting organizations, which may include public- or private-sector organizations, universities, communities, individuals.
In Canada, only 19 percent of students studying engineering are women. Hatch believes that by joining this movement, it can bring its expertise and help increase this number, because the participation of women in the fields of science and engineering is crucial.
“The Chair tackles the issue of underrepresentation of women in the field of engineering—increasing the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the industry. To reach our goal of women making up 40 percent of the total population at Hatch by 2023, we are working on the same fronts as the CWSE. By joining forces, we are investing directly in our recruitment. We are committed to taking an active part in the Chair’s activities in order to bring about change. We will benefit from the results of their research, which we will then use to help women advance and have a most rewarding career at Hatch,” stated Sylvie Lamarre, Hatch’s engineering director for its Eastern North America region.
“Research on this subject shows that diversity promotes innovation and increases performance in business. Those moving in this direction, like Hatch, will be the leaders in developing tomorrow’s world,” according to Eve Langelier, CWSE’s chairholder. “Our team is very happy about this new partnership with Hatch. In addition to its financial support, the company will be collaborating on the work and activities of the Chair. For example, it will be testing online training on equity, diversity, and inclusion in business, share its difficulties and successes with our team, take part in video projects featuring female role models, and much more. Working towards change is very rewarding!”
About Hatch
Whatever our clients envision, our engineers can design and build. With over six decades of business and technical experience in the mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors, we know your business and understand that your challenges are changing rapidly. We respond quickly with solutions that are smarter, more efficient and innovative. We draw upon our 9,000 staff with experience in over 150 countries to challenge the status quo and create positive change for our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve.
Find out more on www.hatch.com
About CWSE
The goal of the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering in Québec is to increase the participation of women in science and engineering, and to provide role models for women active in, and considering careers is these fields. It also aims to tear down the barriers that are limiting girls and women from having happy and successful careers in STEM. In addition, the Chair communicates the most effective strategies and programs at the regional and national levels.
Learn more at http://cfsg.espaceweb.usherbrooke.ca
Université de Sherbrooke
The Université de Sherbrooke lies at the centre of one of Québec’s three major research hubs. Renowned for its sense of innovation, the UdeS is a key partner of regional and senior governments in the promotion of economic, cultural, and social development. It has also garnered a reputation over the years through the strong growth of its research activities, success in technology transfer, and initiatives in entrepreneurship and open innovation in collaboration with industry and social environments.
Visit https://www.usherbrooke.ca for more information.
Media Contact
Lindsay Janca
Global Director, Public Relations
Tel: +1 905 403 4199
Email: media@hatch.com