The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) established the Advocates for Empowerment (A4E) Program to support and encourage organizations to create an inclusive environment for women working in engineering and promote equity in the field.
This free program provides actionable information and recognition to companies that prioritize diverse women in engineering and technology positions.* Explore the benefits of participating in the A4E Program and the steps involved in registering:
What Is the A4E Program?
The A4E Program gathers and analyzes data from participating organizations. The program focuses on two weighted categories of questions: Representation of Diverse Women in the Workforce and Programs, Policies, and Practices to Retain and Advance Diverse Women. Additionally, there is a non-weighted category that examines corporate culture.
After answering these questions, organizations receive a report that provides them with actionable information to improve their efforts to increase gender parity and equality in their engineering and technology workforce. What’s more, the program is available at no cost.*
My Company Already Participates in a Recognition Program. How Is A4E Different?
Participating in the A4E program allows organizations to benchmark their strategic and human capital programs, policies, and practices against other organizations, while also receiving recognition for valuing diversity in engineering and technology. Unlike other recognition programs, the A4E Program is focused on continuous improvement.
The program was created for those organizations who are truly committed to supporting diverse engineering and technology talent ― from recruitment through advancement and into leadership.
Organizations are encouraged to participate at least once every three years to monitor progress over time. SWE views the A4E Program as a long-term commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the engineering and technology workforce.
Participating organizations initially receive a confidential individual report with their results and an aggregated report describing the results of all participating organizations. Additionally, participating organizations are promoted in news releases and multiple media outlets.
A digital logo is also issued to the organizations to recognize their commitment to equity. The logo can be displayed on their websites, in the media, and at various career fairs – including the career fair at SWE’s annual conference.
How Can My Company Participate?
To join the A4E program, companies need to meet the eligibility requirements and register online by June 15, 2023.
Participation requires the support of the CEO of the organization. The primary contact for the program should be the individual with access to the company’s demographic data and information about the company’s programs, policies, and practices ― typically someone within Human Resources or involved with the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) activities of the organization.
The eligibility criteria include being a privately held or publicly traded for-profit company headquartered in the U.S. with a significant U.S.-based workforce. The company should have a minimum of employees, including women employees in engineering and technology positions at different levels.
The A4E program offers two participation packages: the Basic Package and the Premium Package.
*The Basic Package is free and provides organizations with an individual score report and an aggregate report. For a moderate fee, the Premium Package offers organizations more detailed information that pinpoints opportunities where small adjustments could result in big gains.
The goal of the A4E Program is to learn about what other organizations are doing and share best practices. Organizations that register need to submit their organization’s data and additional documents by June 30, 2023.
I’m Interested! What’s Next?
The June 15 deadline to apply for the A4E program is approaching fast. Take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference in your organization’s efforts to support women in engineering and technology occupations. Register your company by June 15 and complete the application by June 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Register today.
If you have any questions about the A4E Program, please reach out to strategicpartnerships@swe.org.
