Companies with Social Impact: PLATO Testing

“We call upon the federal government to develop with Aboriginal groups a joint strategy to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.”

Call to action #7, Education, page 1; Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf).

It’s been almost a year since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was completed in December 2015 and since then, we have grown into a society that is undoubtedly more socially and politically responsible and aware. Yet, we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of actions and steps that need to be taken to improve Aboriginal inclusion in Canada.

An area where this visibly needs to happen is in the Canadian job market. High Aboriginal unemployment inhibits Aboriginal communities from becoming self–sufficient members of society and this can be attributed to a lack of opportunities and training for in-demand jobs. This is where corporations focusing on more than just profits, such as B corporations (https://www.bcorporation.net/what-are-b-corps/why-b-corps-matter), come in; corporations that are held to higher standards of social, environmental, and legal accountability and responsibility. These are companies that “aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems”.

PLATO Testing (http://www.platotesting.com/) was founded on the concept that social impact, specifically for Aboriginal employment, can be achieved through leveraging specific market needs.

PLATO Testing is developing a network of Aboriginal software testers across Canada. Established by industry veteran, and PQA Testing founder, Keith McIntosh, PLATO Testing addresses the technology talent shortage in Canada and, more importantly, brings meaningful training and employment to Aboriginal people. It aims to use software testing as an opportunity to bring Aboriginal people into IT roles.

Join us at yvrTesting to learn more about PLATO Testing’s impact, how you can support the training programs, or how to simply raise awareness about this great new software testing initiative.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns that you may have!