Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) deserves an Oscar award! In 2013, it gave nearly half of its budget to diverse suppliers. Not only did the company spend $2.3 billion with diverse suppliers in 2013, but they also played a major role in California's economic growth. It would appear that diversity works quite well.
But this is not something new for PG&E. They have been operating on a fair playing field for more than 30 years when it comes to choosing their suppliers. The company has developed one of the state's leading supplier diversity programs that includes businesses owned by women, service disabled veterans, and other minority groups.
In addition to giving more opportunities to diverse suppliers, the company also offers a Technical Assistance Program for diverse suppliers. The purpose of the program is help diverse suppliers gain a more competitive business advantage. They have also hosted workshops and created events to support diversity suppliers, and established company supplier diversity standards.
Aside from all the awards the company has received from local organizations, the important result can be seen from the nearly 71,600 jobs they created in the utility's service area in 2012. As PG&E President Chris Johns explained, "Our focus on supplier diversity has given new opportunities to thousands of businesses, allowing them to grow and hire, strengthening California's economy."
On the company's web site, Laura Butler, the company's VP Talent Management and Chief Diversity Officer, comments, "At PG&E, we strive to provide an environment where our employees are enriched by being here and able to do their very best work. We do this by creating an inclusive culture and diverse workforce -- one that reflects the diversity of our customers, works to meet the needs of the communities we serve and builds a strong and diverse supply chain. This commitment to diversity and inclusion is a critical part of our values and how we endeavor to approach each person every day."
To learn more about their diversity initiatives, visit:
www.pge.com/en/about/company/diversityinclusion/index.page