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Diversity & Inclusion

Apply to the 2025 WTS MN DEI Professional Development Grant

Applications are due by Friday, December 13, 2024 at 5 PM.

APPLY HERE

WTS Minnesota is making a pool of $2,000 available to support BIPOC members and friends pursuing professional development opportunities in the upcoming year. This is a pilot offering; more funds may be available in the future. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee welcomes feedback on this program; please email feedback to [email protected].

Examples of professional development opportunities include trainings, certifications, and conferences that:

  • Support earning or maintaining expertise or certification in engineering (PE), planning (AICP), traffic (PTOE, Planning, etc.), project management (PMP), landscape architecture (PLA), geology (PG), or similar;
  • Are connected to a transportation-related subject (for example, zoning, economic development, real estate, public administration, construction, logistics); OR
  • Support licensing or professional development for the trades, such as commercial driver’s license, automotive or diesel technician, or other fields related to transportation

Eligibility:

  • WTS members and non-members who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color are eligible to apply
  • Applicants must live or work in Minnesota
  • Grants are not intended for full or part-time students or for recurring needs (e.g., annual dues)
  • Applicants are encouraged to fully leverage employer-provided development funds before applying for this grant.

Application Requirements:

  • Meet eligibility requirements above
  • Provide information about the opportunity, including:
    • Documentation of cost
    • Copy of program description or curriculum from the provider
  • Provide personal information:
    • Current resume
    • A brief essay (500 words) on your career goals, how those relate to transportation, and how this specific opportunity will advance them.

Applications will be evaluated based on the materials provided. The $2,000 pool will be divided among grant recipients. Depending on interest, grants may not cover the full cost of the opportunity.

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Mission Statement

Develop skills and knowledge within women in WTS Minnesota to be advocates in individual workplaces to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the transportation industry. Increase and support diversity within WTS Minnesota membership, leadership and program participants to better reflect our changing communities.

In order to accomplish this mission, the Committee identified nine diversity and inclusion goals as focus areas for near-term activities.

These goals include:

  • Race/Ethnicity
    • Increase opportunities for women of color in the transportation industry
    • Increase the participation of women of color in WTS Minnesota programs, events and leadership
  • General
    • Create and foster an inclusive environment in WTS Minnesota and all related programs and events so all people feel welcome, included and valued
    • Promote self-education related diversity and inclusion topics among WTS members
  • Experience
    • Increase the participation of women in leadership positions/more experienced women in WTS Minnesota programs, events and leadership
  • Job Type
    • Expand WTS Minnesota membership and participation to include more people from transportation jobs other than planning and engineering
  • Geography
    • Expand WTS Minnesota membership and participation to include more people outside of Minneapolis & St. Paul, and the Twin Cities in general.
  • Disability
    • Ensure WTS Minnesota meetings, events and materials are accessible for individuals with disabilities
  • Gender
    • Make WTS Minnesota a welcoming environment for people of all gender identities

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Best Practices

The WTS MN Diversity and Inclusion Committee developed a survey to send to member organizations to understand the various efforts, policies, and best practices surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the transportation industry. The goal of this effort was to understand where organizations were as it related to policies, training, and programs aimed at the promotion of employees that identify as black, indigenous, or a person of color. 

For more information about the WTS MN Diversity & Inclusion Committee, contact Jennifer Wiltgen or Emma Lucken.

We compiled responses we received into a summary of best practices:

 

WTS MN DEI Best Practices