ABR Professional Exchange Program

What is the PEP?

The Professional Exchange Program (PEP) was designed in response to the  Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism  (ABR) Workforce Action Item #3: “Work to increase the representation of, and career opportunities for, Black administrative and support staff.”

The PEP seeks to:

• address the inequities and employment barriers that Black-identifying employees at McGill may experience,
• give them greater exposure to areas of professional interest and guide them in their future career development at the University, 

Notably by:

• fostering better and stronger connections and
• providing access to coaching and experiential learning opportunities from McGill professionals. 

This program is neither a developmental assignment nor a term appointment. It is a learning opportunity that provides exposure to a new work environment at the university. It does not impact salary nor any other employment conditions. 

Participants will perform a weekly average of 2–3 hours of work for their Host unit, for a minimum total of 30 hours and not extending beyond 60 hours over a period of 3-6 months.

Participation & Eligibility

Partners 

Host: The Host is the person/unit that accepts to host an employee normally employed in another unit at McGill (i.e., the Participant). The Host person or unit will prepare for the internship so that the experience is rewarding and useful for both the Host and the Participant. To ensure that they can be sufficiently involved, Hosts must consider their current work obligations and timing, and ensure that their supervisor accepts this arrangement. 

Participant: The Participant is a McGill employee who spends time working at another unit. Participants must consider their current work obligations and have their possible participation in the program approved by their supervisor. 

Home Supervisor: The Home Supervisor is the Participant’s usual supervisor. If they agree to the arrangement, they will support the prospective Participant’s request and thus will allow them to spend time with the Host on designated days and for specified times.  The Home Supervisor will explore the following questions with the prospective Participant:  

• How is the arrangement aligned with the Participant’s current development plan as outlined in their performance dialogue?  

• How could the Participant’s home unit benefit from the learning that the Participant will acquire through their experience with the Host?  

• In alignment with the Home unit objectives, what development opportunities could be extended to the prospective Participant at the end of their placement? 

Eligibility 

The Program is open to MPEX Black-identifying employees. 

Expectations & Timing

Expectations 

The Host must be able to welcome, onboard, train and integrate the Participant into the Host unit’s activities. 

The Participant must be able to maintain their duties in their home units. 

The Home Supervisor should allow the Participant to perform a weekly average of 2–3 hours of work for their Host unit, unless an alternative schedule has been agreed upon between the Host, Participant and themselves.  

Timing

The timing of the exchange depends on the availability of the Host, the Participant, and the Home Supervisor. 

In order to be meaningful, the minimum duration should be at least 30 hours over a period of several months, but not more than 60 hours over a period of six months starting from September 2023 at the earliest.  

By the end of the exchange period, the Participant should have engaged in both shadowing and leading a supervised project. 

The work assigned can be either a typical representation of the Host’s usual activities, and/or can be based on specific activities assigned by the Host. 

Benefits of Participation

The Professional Exchange Program has the following potential benefits: 

• Networking opportunities that can help to break down employment barriers and provide equal opportunities for all employees. 

• Providing staff with insight into the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues and other units. 

• Development of an opportunity for employees to gain experience and to learn from colleagues within McGill. 

• Allowing staff to widen their lens and understand more about how the University as a whole, functions. 

• Providing opportunities for McGill to remain an employer of choice for our staff, notably staff from very underrepresented groups. 

• Providing opportunities for leadership and mentorship in the Host unit. 

• Providing skill development and capacity-building for staff that will benefit them during and following their exchange experiences, fostering growth and knowledge at a collective level. 

• Provides potential points of collaboration between the home and host units. 

At the end of the exchange, both the Home Supervisor and the Host, will gain recognition from the Associate Vice-Principal, Human Resources and the Associate Provost, Equity and Academic Policies, for their efforts in supporting the Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism, namely, the career development, retention and promotion of Black-identifying employees. All Participants, Hosts and Home Supervisors will be invited to a celebratory event.  

Process & Contact

Process of the Professional Exchange Program  

Coordination of the program: 

The program is coordinated by the HR Anti-Black Racism Working Group, as well as Host Units. 

Important Dates / How to participate: 

• In June, prospective Hosts will be invited to complete a  Host Application Form, with approval from their immediate supervisor, and submit it no later than June 30, 2023.

• In July, prospective Participants will be invited to complete the Participant Application Form, have it approved by their immediate supervisor, and submit it no later than August 7, 2023. 

• A prospective Participant may also include a special request to be matched with a specific unit that is not already listed on the website.  

• Hosts will decide who and how many Participants they can welcome. The deadline to decide and contact prospective Participants is September 1, 2023. Hosts must also relay this information to the coordination team via email at abr-careerdevelopment [at] mcgill.ca by the same date.

• Hosts are expected to contact any non-selected applicants in real time, by phone or in a virtual meeting.  

• Training for Hosts on anti-Black racism and hosting will take place on September 6, 2023.

• On September 21, 2023, we will hold our program Launch event! This is the earliest start date of the exchange.

• During the midway point of the exchange, both the Host and the Participant are asked to complete an Evaluation Form 

Mid-Point Evaluation Form by Host 

Mid-Point Evaluation Form by Participant

• On March 21, 2024, we will hold our Program Closing Celebration! This is the latest end date of the exchange.

• After the exchange, both the Host and the Participant will be asked to complete a second, final Evaluation.  

Final Evaluation Form by Host 

Final Evaluation Form by Participant

If you have questions or would like to speak with someone about the program, please feel free to contact the coordination team. We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact: abr-careerdevelopment [at] mcgill.ca