Workshop – Supporting Neurodiverse Workers in the Skilled Trades

A Live Online Workshop for Leaders and Teams

Skilled Workers are Getting Harder to Find

Ready to make your company more attractive?

We All Dread Tough

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Ready to navigate them confidently?

It's no secret the construction industry is struggling to attract and retain workers. With fewer than 40% of apprentices completing their programs, and high turnover rates being common, you might feel like a revolving door.

  • Are you seeing more people just not showing up for work?
  • Do your apprentices leave for in-school training and never come back?
  • Are your supervisors struggling to communicate with people on their crew?

Attend this live online workshop to learn how by making your work sites more inclusive for neurodiverse crew members, you'll increase satisfaction and productivity for the whole team.

Tuesday, May 28th 
1:00pm - 4:30pm EST

(2pm AST | noon CST | 11am MST | 10am PST)

Only $349

Space is limited

69
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You missed out!

Workshop Details

 Tuesday, May 28th

1:00pm - 4:30pm EST

An interactive training:
→  3.5 hours
→   Live, instructor-led on Zoom  

Only $349

What You'll Leave With

  • Awareness and understanding of the strengths and challenges of your neurodiverse workers
  • Ideas & strategies to make hiring practices more inclusive for neurodiverse workers
  • An action plan to make work sites & crews more inclusive
  • An understanding of why people react the ways they do on the site, and how supervisors can support them better

Are you struggling to attract and retain workers & apprentices?

While strides have been made in the construction industry in promoting gender and ethnic diversity within the sector, one area that demands urgent attention is the inclusion of neurodiverse workers & apprentices. Neurodiversity encompasses a range of brain differences, including ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Brain Injuries, and more. It is crucial for the construction industry to acknowledge the untapped potential within neurodiverse individuals and take meaningful steps to create an inclusive environment.

Up to 25% of the population are neurodiverse. Neurodiverse people are already on your crews and sites.

Neurodiverse individuals often have unique perspectives and approaches to challenges, which can bring fresh ideas and creativity to projects and problem-solving.

Despite these strengths, neurodiverse workers often face barriers to entry - and to staying - in the construction sector. Misunderstandings about their capabilities, communication challenges, and a lack of support systems can lead to exclusion. By overlooking this pool of talent, you're not only missing out on diverse perspectives but also perpetuating a cycle of underemployment.

To address these issues, construction companies need to implement policies and practices that promote neurodiversity and create inclusive worksite cultures.

By implementing inclusive practices, sites can become more accommodating environments for everyone, regardless of their neurotype. Improving communication methods, providing clear instructions, and offering flexibility in tasks can enhance the overall work experience for all workers.

Additionally, reassessing your recruitment and hiring practices can ensure they are accessible and accommodating. Traditional interview methods may not be the most effective way to evaluate the skills and potential of neurodiverse worker & apprentice candidates.

Inclusive work sites also contribute to improved employee morale and job satisfaction. When workers feel valued and supported, they're more likely to be engaged in their work, leading to increased productivity and fewer safety incidents. By creating sites that accommodate neurodiversity, you can boost overall employee wellbeing, reduce turnover, and attract a more diverse and skilled workforce.

Investing in neurodiversity initiatives can enhance your reputation and appeal to a broader talent pool. Potential employees, including neurodiverse individuals, are more likely to choose employers who prioritize diversity and inclusion. This positive image can also extend to clients and stakeholders, showcasing your company as forward-thinking and socially responsible.

Creating an inclusive environment is a blueprint for success that will ultimately make your sites better for everyone involved.

That’s why we’re bringing you this training.


Facilitator Kimberly Van Ryn has trained thousands of people on neurodiversity at work and related topics. Her workshops on Neurodiversity 101 and Trauma-Informed Leadership have helped countless people bring in simple changes that have had outsized impact on workers and organizations. 

The results of her workshops have been:

  • increased awareness and understanding of behaviours seen at work
  • strategies and action plans that help support and retain workers better
  • increased productivity and motivation on teams
  • a reduction of conflict within teams
Join us on May 28th and come away with a plan to better support your workers and apprentices
Your Next Steps Are Simple:
1. Register Now
2. Attend & Learn 
Live on May 28th
3. Start practicing your new strategies and see a difference in your workers 

What Past Participants Are Saying …

“Kim is a brilliant instructor. I would attend any workshops led by her"

- Cynthia P. 

Why Do You Need This?
  • A research survey from the UK shows approximately 1 in 4 construction workers identify as neurodiverse
  • Among these workers, ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia make up the majority of their neurodiversities
  • Nearly 40% of workers have not disclosed to their employers - primarily out of embarrassment and stigma
  • 67% of survey respondents believe the industry is well-equipped to support people with neurodiversities
  • Fewer than 40% of apprentices complete their programs - and many struggle with the classroom components 
  • Simple strategies can be implemented that'll better support these workers on site - and that'll make the whole crew more productive


What you’ll learn …
  • What "Neurodiversity" means, the diagnoses and descriptors that fall under its umbrella, and the impact on the Canadian population
  • An understanding of the strengths and challenges of Neurodiversity in the community and at work
  • A brief history of Neurodiversity in our country, and the roots of stigma
  • The impacts of neurodiversity on site - these include masking, and neurodivergent burnout vs. neuro-inclusivity
  • What it means to be "diagnosed", and how having vs. not having a diagnosis can impact engagement at work
  • The importance of language in supporting workers onsite and off
  • How to integrate accessibility, Inclusion and belonging into your worksites - including ideas & strategies on best practices for hiring, supervising, and debriefing with potential and current workers/apprentices
  • How to build a plan to better support neurodivergent workers on your sites to create teams that are more connected, productive, and creative


Won’t it be amazing … 
  • To see higher success rates from your apprentices
  • To achieve higher retention rates among your workers and apprentices
  • To see increased output and productivity on site - because your workers feel supported and included
  • To see lower rates of mental health problems among your workers
  • To position your company as a leader in the industry for inclusion
This workshop won’t happen again until later this year.
Can you wait that long?
Can your crews?

Register Now for $349 - Space is Limited

69
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02
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32
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43
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Sorry, this live event is over... but you can still purchase the recording

Live online - May 28th

1:00pm - 4:30pm EST

(2pm AST | noon CST | 11am MST | 10am PST)

So, who is your instructor?

Kimberly Van Ryn

Kimberly Van Ryn holds a BA in Human Services and a post grad in Trauma-Informed Care and Counselling. Kim is also a yoga and meditation teacher with a specialization in Trauma-Informed Yoga and embodied practices for people with neurodiversity.

She has just over 20 years experience in the human services field in a variety of frontline, therapeutic and administrative roles. Beginning in the foster care and adoption sector, Kim worked extensively with traumatized children in a play therapy setting. Following this work she applied her skills with people who have developmental/physical disabilities and neurodiversity. Bridging these two populations was a trauma-informed lens that has been Kim's most impactful and wholistic toolbox to date.

Kim is the founder of Branching Out Support Services, a community development organization serving people with neurodiversities and their chosen families. Kim also holds a teaching position for Conestoga College in their Liberal Arts program facilitating the Human Sexuality course. 

This workshop will give you strategies you can use RIGHT NOW. 
If you’re stressed and overwhelmed with conflict and tension at work, you can’t afford to miss it.  

Live on May 28th

1:00pm - 4:30pm EST

(2pm AST | noon CST | 11am MST | 10am PST)

If you attend the training and are not satisfied, we will refund 100% of your registration cost. No questions asked.

What Past Participants Are Saying …

"We're hearing really amazing feedback from our employees as this session was so impactful”

Melissa B.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ask questions anonymously during the workshop?

Yes.  The chat will be open and you’ll be able to send private messages to the moderator who can ask them on your behalf.  

Will this session be recorded?

No. Because this training's effectiveness comes partly from it's high interactivity and confidentiality, the session will not be recorded.

 

What is the cancellation & refund policy?

Because space is limited there are no withdrawals - including "no shows" - permitted. Full fee applies once registered.

An exception to this policy applies if the training is cancelled by The Expert Talk for unforeseen circumstances, and can't be rescheduled. In that case, a full refund will be applied.

What's the satisfaction guarantee?

If you attend the training and are not satisfied for any reason, we will refund your registration cost. No questions asked.

 

Have more questions?

We love questions!  Click here to send us what you’ve got and we’ll get back to you within 1 business day.

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