WASHINGTON, D.C. – Emovis has been awarded for its focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) – the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. 

Emovis was awarded by the IBTTA as the private sector organization in the industry that made a significant contribution to advancing racial justice, equity, inclusion and meaningful opportunities in society. Key to the award is Emovis’ People and Organization program that focuses on employee engagement, diversity, inclusion, health and well-being.  

“This award belongs to every person in our business who champions the cause of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” said Christian Barrientos, CEO of Emovis – Abertis Mobility Services. “I am grateful to all the wonderfully diverse people in our organization who welcome employees of all backgrounds and truly listen to one another. We thank the jury for recognising the efforts of our team and to the task force which has played such a vital role in raising awareness of inequality and made it acceptable to discuss this sensitive subject in our industry.”  

The People and Organization program was originally born from Emovis’ UK flagship operation. With its success, Emovis decided that the UK model would become the blueprint for the global operating model and human resources policies and procedures.  

“Emovis aims for a culturally diverse workforce and encourages all to apply for open job roles,” said Joanne Storey,  Emovis’ Operations Director and the champion of the company’s DEI efforts. “We guarantee that if someone is suitable for a position, we will accommodate all candidate requirements.”

Emovis reaches out to charities and employability support organizations that work with all kinds of candidates: from people with autism, learning difficulties or other disabilities, to foreign candidates where English is a barrier for employment. For example, Emovis employs individuals with hearing impairments and autism who have the support of job coaches or British Sign Language signers and ones who are partially sighted and receive support of specialist equipment and software with an environment suitable for their guide or service dog.

This approach has widened the company’s recruitment pool, attracted candidates that would lose out through “normal” channels, delivered a high retention and engagement rate and reduced attrition and absence costs. The increased engagement of its diverse workforce has also delivered significant benefits to its customers. 

Emovis operates in 11 countries and has a multi-cultural and multinational workforce, employing staff from all around the globe, including six continents and more than 30 different nationalities. Its top management originate from eight different countries. Within Operations, more than 60 percent of its employees are non-white. Emovis achieves the target of 50/50 gender mix, and at the Management level, exceeds its target of more than 30 percent women.  

To be considered for an IBTTA DEI award, an organization’s program or project must promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist policies through its work in the tolling industry. It should also provide professional growth or leadership opportunities for People of Color through the organization’s policies, projects, hiring practices, or actions. In addition, the organization must demonstrate that it has had a positive environmental and economic impact on historically disadvantaged communities and its procurement efforts provide partnership opportunities to People of Color and disadvantaged populations. 

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission won the Public Sector Award for its work on Opportunity Corridor, a transportation improvement project in Cleveland that resulted in a positive environmental and economic impact on historically disadvantaged communities.

 

About The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA)

IBTTA is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in more than 20 countries on six continents. Through advocacy, thought leadership and education, members are implementing state-of-the-art, innovative user-based transportation financing solutions to address the critical infrastructure challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ibtta.org.