Diversity at work can increase productivity and foster a sense of community, so training employees on how to work effectively with co-workers from different backgrounds, experiences and identities is vitally important. Such instruction helps employees discover their own biases while working alongside co-workers from diverse backgrounds and identities.
Companies can provide diversity training via their learning and development (L&D) department, offering workshops or courses designed to foster employee feedback and peer-to-peer mentoring.
Cornell University
Diversity training is integral to the success of an organization and employee safety. However, companies often face difficulty when trying to implement diversity and inclusion training programs due to limited resources, insufficient support from senior leaders or poor employee engagement; but these hurdles can be overcome using various tools and techniques designed to maximize effectiveness of training programs.
Cornell University provides several online courses related to diversity and inclusion, including an HR professional certification program. Each course offers lectures, readings, and interactive activities designed to give HR professionals a fuller understanding of diversity within their workplace while developing practical skills that they can put to use immediately upon graduation.
This online course is tailored towards human resource professionals and managers looking to advance their leadership abilities and manage a diverse workforce more effectively. Topics of focus include recognizing various forms of micro behavior and devising plans for combatting them; unconscious bias issues at work and how organizations can foster an inclusive culture within an organization, among others.
Cornell University’s diversity and inclusion certification program is offered through the Catalyst Institute as a three-week, self-paced self-learning course with video lectures, reading materials, quizzes and quizzes for each module (Hi Diversity!, Disrupting Diversity, Diversity Inclusion & Perceptions and Categorization and Diversity Perceptions) that take approximately two hours each to complete – offering free participation or certificate completion options to its attendees.
Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program is ideal for human resource professionals who want to understand the challenges associated with implementing diversity and inclusion policies within their workplace. The program provides a framework for assessing current state diversity and inclusion, identifying barriers to implementation, as well as opportunities to strengthen policies through improvements. Furthermore, this provides a roadmap towards future implementation and sustainable change.
Coursera
Coursera is one of the premier online education platforms, offering courses at a fraction of their original costs and in many cases even offering certificates from top universities. Diversity and Inclusion training program comprises four modules designed to introduce basic concepts of inclusion, diversity, equity and access in the workplace. These modules are designed to enable students to become change agents within their sphere of influence by encouraging them to become aware of issues within their work environments, think critically and make critical decisions. Furthermore, training provides tools tailored towards an ever-evolving workforce. Millennial and Gen Z workers increasingly seek companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives and training in the workplace. According to a Gallup study, employees who prioritize these efforts tend to remain with that organization more likely.
This course equips students to better comprehend differences among people based on gender, age, sexual orientation and other attributes such as race. It addresses various forms of discrimination against these characteristics as well as strategies to combat them. Furthermore, the course clarifies sex and sexuality differences for preventing discrimination based on them; enrollment in both English and Spanish versions is free!
This online course, led by six Darden professors, explores the importance of creating a culture that values diversity and inclusion within organizations. Furthermore, this course explores strategies managers can employ to promote inclusion within their organizations. Designed specifically for HR and management professionals working within D&I fields but equally suitable for anyone interested in the topic of D&I.
Students enrolled in this course will gain insight into the history and impact of inequality in America as they explore discrimination based on race, religion, gender and more. Furthermore, this class offers free weekly enrollment.
The PGA of America and University of North Texas have joined forces to offer an online course tailored specifically for employees and members. Coursera serves as the learning platform, featuring modules on topics like discrimination, cultural awareness and creating inclusive environments. Furthermore, groups of employees or professionals may form custom cohorts within this course.
edX
edX offers a diverse selection of courses on diversity, equity and inclusion that are designed for people from all backgrounds and experience levels. Many are online self-paced courses designed to increase awareness of how unconscious biases impact work and lives of others; the training program then helps overcome them to foster more inclusive environments – an essential step toward building more diverse workforces.
Diversity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives not only increase employee engagement, but they can also help companies improve business results. According to McKinsey research, companies that place greater focus on DEI tend to enjoy improved financial performance, operating efficiency, innovation, job satisfaction and loyalty from employees than organizations who do not prioritise diversity as much. Investing in diversity training for your staff members and company is an investment in both your future as a company and their futures as individuals.
An effective DEI training program includes formal and informal components. Employees will learn about DEI core concepts and how they should apply them at work in formal courses; informal courses aim at encouraging more constructive discussions about it all while opening minds up to diverse viewpoints.
Training programs also incorporate mentoring and coaching as part of their training sessions, which can be particularly useful for newer employees or those unfamiliar with diversity and inclusion concepts. Furthermore, mentoring helps build a network of colleagues that support an equitable and inclusive workplace environment.
Another method is training senior leaders as DEI champions, such as managers, HR professionals or any other leaders willing to accept DEI as part of their job duties. Once in this role they can identify and mentor junior employees who show an interest in this area.
Companies should invest in DEI training for all staff members, especially management. Young adults (millennials and Gen Zers) tend to place great value on companies who take DEI seriously and trust organizations with positive social impacts; moreover, these individuals tend to recommend those companies they trust most with friends.
CatalystX
CatalystX online training is ideal for newcomers to inclusive leadership or management, or as a refresher course for HR professionals. Their program covers everything from diversity and inclusion basics to anti-racism strategies; providing the basis for successful D&I initiatives while teaching how to communicate across cultural divides effectively.
It covers numerous topics, such as the importance of addressing racial equity in the workplace and how to detect unconscious bias. Furthermore, this program explores privilege and discusses creating more inclusive policies and practices. You can take this course for free or at a low fee.
An alternative option for diversity and inclusion training courses is enrolling in one from a university, often free and including a certificate. Programs are flexible enough for any schedule – just pick the course that works for you quickly to begin learning!
Diversity and inclusion training is an effective way to boost employee performance in the workplace. By helping employees feel respected and engaged at work, diversity and inclusion training can lead to higher productivity – leading to decreased turnover rates as well as reduced recruitment costs for organizations. Furthermore, satisfied employees tend to remain with their current company longer.
iMCI is a nonprofit organization that offers workforce training for businesses and nonprofits in the US. Their programs are customized to each client’s specific needs and designed to strengthen organizational culture. Working closely with schools, government agencies, corporations and more, iMCI offers its programs both online and in person.
iMCI Diversity and Inclusion Certification program offers participants a six-month journey that equips them with the tools needed to drive change in their organizations. Taught by experts in their respective fields, the course includes practical exercises and assignments designed to push learners outside their comfort zones and challenge learners to think beyond their comfort zones. Participants will learn to comprehend various identities that comprise human existence including ability, age, class gender ethnicity religion sexual orientation among many others.