April is Celebrate Diversity Month, launched 20 years ago to remind people to appreciate their similarities and recognize and understand their differences. At OCTA, it also presents an opportunity to renew commitments to continue increasing diversity in our public outreach efforts and in the workplace.
Recognizing that OCTA has a diverse workforce serving a diverse Orange County, OCTA is committed to empowering diverse and disadvantaged communities through increased engagement; ensuring equity is integrated into OCTA’s projects, studies and marketing materials; reflecting community values by sustaining an inclusive and diverse work culture; and communicating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) efforts to the public as part of its 2024 Board Initiatives and CEO Action Plan.
OCTA has always celebrated the diversity of its workforce and continues to create and sustain a workplace that embraces DEIB. Ten years ago, OCTA’s overall employee population was composed of 63% minorities; today, that figure has climbed to 73%.
OCTA currently employs 140 women as coach operators and has a four-year goal to hire 110 more.
This year, OCTA rolled out “Creating an Inclusive and Engaging Workplace” mandatory training to all administrative employees. In addition, OCTA’s Women’s Affinity and Working Parents resource groups continue to meet quarterly and employees are encouraged to form their own employee resource groups to support individual interests.