28

Hours of Learning

5

Hands-on Assignments

1

Capstone Project
Learn how to hire the best candidate by removing barriers and biases in the hiring process
The Bias-Free Hiring Certificate Program is a five-session, in-person learning series designed to help you integrate equity into your hiring policies and practices. Grounded in human rights, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and accessibility, this program combines expert guidance, research, dialogue, and practical activities to support EDI specialists and human resource professionals in strengthening your organization’s recruitment systems while navigating the complexities of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

​By participating in this program you’ll learn how to:
  • Hire the best people for the job while diversifying your organization
  • Diversify your workforce with intention rather than by accident
  • Drive change within your organization's talent acquisition systems with competence and confidence 
vertical divider
Section divider type: tilt -- position: top

Your Learning Journey

vertical divider
The Bias-Free Hiring Certificate Program spans five months, with each full-day session occurring every four weeks. You’ll benefit from a full day of immersive  learning, meaningful dialogue, and connection with colleagues across non-profit and public sector organizations. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on-site.

Session 1:
​Hiring in a New Age

Discover how Canada’s workforce is evolving and what it means for hiring in today’s world. This session explores the shifting demographics of today’s workforce and how emerging technologies are changing the way organizations recruit. You will gain insights to navigate these changes and hire diverse talent effectively.

Session 2:
​Understanding and Minimizing Unconscious Bias in the Hiring Process

Uncover the hidden influences that  shape hiring decisions. You will examine the sources of unconscious bias, understand how it impacts who is selected, and learn practical strategies to reduce bias in recruitment and selection.

Session 3:
​Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA: Implications for Hiring

Learn how to confidently navigate legally compliant and equitable hiring. This session explores the implications of the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) on the hiring process. You will walk away with clear do’s and don’ts to ensure your hiring process is inclusive and legally  compliant.

Session 4
​Bias-Free Hiring

Building on previous sessions, this session explores how to design a hiring process to minimize the impact of bias. We will cover all stages of  recruitment, from job ads to interviews to candidate scoring, and provide strategies to reduce bias at every stage, ensuring  equitable selection.

Session 5
​Hiring for Diversity

Conclude the program by learning how to be intentional when making hiring decisions. In this session, we explore how to apply a diversity lens to the hiring process to build a workforce that is equitable, inclusive, and diverse by design, not by accident.

Your Capstone Project

vertical divider
Between sessions, you'll continue your learning through readings and take-home assignments designed to support the application of learning to your organization’s policies and practices. Each assignment builds toward the capstone project. The capstone project combines your assignments into a practical, customized plan for your organization. This project bridges learning with real-world application, allowing you to implement bias-free hiring practices and policies immediately and effectively while demonstrating your mastery of the knowledge and skills learned in the program.

Graded by Tana Turner, the capstone project provides your organization with a review of hiring policies and processes and recommendations that can be immediately implemented. Successful completion of the capstone project earns you your Bias-Free Hiring Certificate.

After the program, you’ll have continued support through our resource library and the community of EDI professionals we build during group activities, discussions, and collaborative learning.
Section divider type: tilt -- position: top

Meet Your Facilitator

A researcher, consultant, and lifelong advocate for social justice, Tana Turner has spent her career examining how conscious and unconscious biases impact how people make decisions and how that limits opportunities for members of the equity-deserving groups. Having conducted over 100 Equity Audits, her expertise has helped  organizations strengthen their recruitment processes and create pathways for talent from diverse backgrounds to succeed.

Tana has trained hundreds of hiring managers and human resource staff, equipping them with practical strategies to understand and mitigate the impact of unconscious bias in the hiring process. Her facilitation style is practical and thought-provoking, blending research, dialogue, and lived experience. Grounded in evidence and empathy, Tana’s work is built on a simple truth: when organizations hire without bias, they become stronger, more innovative, and more connected to the communities they serve.
vertical divider
Section divider type: tilt -- position: bottom

Are you ready to start your learning journey?

Section divider type: tilt -- position: top
Date &Time
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
February 24, March 24, April 21, May 26, and June 23, 2026
Location
​The Village Hive Eglinton
120 Eglinton Ave E, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2
Cost
$2,000 (+ HST)
Cancellation Policy
Registration is firm once payment has been made and subject to cancellation fees.

Cancellation Fees: 3 months or more prior to the event date: 90% of the registration fee refunded and 10% charged as an administrative fee.

Within 2 months of event: 75% of the registration fee refunded and 25% of the total registration fee charged as an administrative fee.

Within 7 calendar days of event date: non-refundable, 100% charged.

Should we need to cancel the event due to illness or other unforeseen events, we will provide a credit and will reschedule the training program.

FAQs

vertical divider
What will I gain from this certificate program?
At the conclusion of the program, you will receive:
  • A physical and digital certificate, recognizing your completion.
  • The completion of a capstone project, based on your organization’s hiring policies and practices. The capstone project will be reviewed by EDI consultant Tana Turner and will provide actionable steps your organization can take to create a bias-free hiring process. 
  • Connections with a network of peers from your cohort, giving you a community of practice to continue your learning and growth.
Who is this certificate program for?
This program is designed for EDI specialists or human resource professionals who are ready to deepen their equity practice and lead meaningful change within their organizations and communities.

You’ll benefit most from this program if you:
  • Are an EDI specialist or human resource professional looking to strengthen your organization’s hiring practices
  • Are responsible for designing or improving hiring policies and practices in your organization
  • Seek practical strategies and tools that can be applied immediately
  • Are looking to move from equity theory to equity-in-action
Do participants need to complete any prerequisites or bring anything to class (such as a laptop or pre-work materials)?
There are no prerequisites or required materials. All necessary tools and resources will be prepared and provided to participants upon arrival. However, if you would like to take electronic notes, laptops and tablets are welcome. 
Can I still complete the program if I miss a session?
Participants are required to attend all sessions to successfully complete the program and obtain a certificate. However, if an emergency occurs, please notify us as soon as possible. We understand that unforeseen circumstances happen and will do our best to work with you.
What support is available after the program?
After the program, participants become part of a community. Participants are encouraged to stay connected with one another and with EDI consultant Tana Turner to continue learning together as they put bias-free hiring practices into action. After the program, participants will also have access to a Resource Library to support their ongoing learning and growth.

Do you have questions about this certificate program? 

Section divider type: tilt -- position: bottom

Are you ready to strengthen your hiring practices?