The eight counties in the Madison Region Economic Partnership region improved workforce diversity but could use more attention, according to the MadREP’s Diversity & Inclusion Survey, released today.

“A diverse workforce is vital to the sustained economic growth of the region,” MadREP CEO Paul Jadin said in a statement. “Assessing the progress of diversity and inclusion efforts by Madison Region employers is a critical step in improving our practices, and I am pleased that we not only see a more responsive business community but also improvements in our practices.”

According to a release, the survey captures quantitative and qualitative data about workforce demographics, business D&I efforts and community engagement.

The survey sampled 2,464 employers, with companies from 19 of the 20 industry sectors responding. Categories such as supervisory positions held by non-White workers, top-level leadership held by non-White workers, respondents with a written diversity statement and staff dedicated to diversity and inclusion efforts all ranked higher than last year.