Ontario-career-lab-logo-eng-v2

Inspiring Bright Futures

Ontario is introducing career coaching for Grade 9 & 10 students, giving them more opportunities to explore exciting careers.

LEARN MORE

WACC-Logo-White-1

Women as Career Coaches

Join us at WACC 2026 for an evening of mentorship and inspiration.

LEARN MORE

app-strn-eng-white

Skilled Trades Regional Networks

Connecting industry and education to power Ontario's skilled trades.

LEARN MORE

Inspiring Bright Futures

Big futures start early—the Ontario Career Lab, powered by HIEC, is now offering career coaching for Grade 9 and 10 students, helping them explore exciting careers and uncover what inspires them.

Learn More

Career Discovery and Development

At HIEC, we help individuals discover their potential and connect with the people, programs, and pathways that shape successful careers—for students, job seekers, and employers alike.
HIEC-Home-HIEC-Pic
HIEC-Home-Logo-v3
Inspiring Career Connections

For over 35 years, HIEC has connected educators, employers, and students to inspire career exploration and workforce development across Ontario. Through hands-on programs, mentorship, and partnerships, we help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunity.

LEARN MORE
HIEC-Home-AppSearch-Pic
HIEC-AppSearch-Home-Logo-v2
Supporting Skilled Trades

A free online community connecting job seekers pursuing the skilled trades with employers across Ontario. Managed by HIEC, ApprenticeSearch.com helps grow Ontario’s skilled workforce through job matching, training resources, and career pathway support.

Learn More
HIEC-Home-OCL-Pic
HIEC-OCL-Home-Logo-v2
Empowering Student Futures

Ontario Career Lab is HIEC’s volunteer-driven mentorship program, bringing professionals into classrooms to share real career stories. Through interactive events and workshops, students gain insights, confidence, and connections that help them explore their future careers.

Learn More
Career Coach mentor and student working together on a laptop, illustrating personalized career path exploration for students through Ontario Career Lab

Who We Are

HIEC is an innovative not-for-profit social enterprise focusing on partnership, mentorship and workforce development. For over 30 years, we’ve been working to build stronger connections between educators, employers and the students who will make up our future workforce.

Career Coach mentor and student working together on a laptop, illustrating personalized career path exploration for students through Ontario Career Lab

What We Do

We deliver an interactive and informative Career Awareness Program, facilitate meaningful experiential learning opportunities, host inspiring community events, and manage multiple online communities with a focus on workforce development.

Career Coach mentor and student working together on a laptop, illustrating personalized career path exploration for students through Ontario Career Lab

Why We Do It

We believe that students will be more successful if they are empowered to make informed and inspired career choices, connected with opportunities for experiential learning, and supported in managing their transition from school to career.

Who We Are

HIEC is an innovative not-for-profit social enterprise focusing on partnership, mentorship and workforce development. For over 30 years, we’ve been working to build stronger connections between educators, employers and the students who will make up our future workforce.
What We Do

We deliver an interactive and informative Career Awareness Program, facilitate meaningful experiential learning opportunities, host inspiring community events, and manage multiple online communities with a focus on workforce development.
Why We Do It

We believe that students will be more successful if they are empowered to make informed and inspired career choices, connected with opportunities for experiential learning, and supported in managing their transition from school to career.
WACC-Logo-Colour

Be Part of Something Extraordinary!

For over 20 years, Women as Career Coaches (WACC) has brought together thousands of youth and mentors from the Halton Region and beyond to engage in informal conversation, listen to a line-up of inspiring spotlight speakers, and participate in panel discussions about various career pathways. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WACC 2026
WACC 2025 Spotlight Speaker Collage

See What’s New

Catch up on recent posts about the work we’re doing and the people we’re partnering with.
1 min read

Celebrating a Year of Growth, Innovation, and Leading Career Development

Dec 19, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on our 35th year. A year that has seen high demand for our...
2 min read

Give Time This Giving Tuesday: Join a Career Conversation and Change a Student’s Future

Dec 1, 2025

Every year, Giving Tuesday reminds us that generosity comes in many forms. This year, we’re focusing on a resource...
1 min read

Where Passion Meets Profession: Kelly Hoey Featured in Women of Influence

Aug 21, 2025

HIEC’s Executive Director, Kelly Hoey, was recently profiled in Women of Influence for her inspiring career journey and...

Voices from Our Community

Real stories from the people we serve — sharing how HIEC has helped them grow, connect, and succeed.
"The Women as Career Coaches event made me feel much less anxious about the future, especially navigating academics as a woman of colour. Inspiring, insightful, and truly a necessary and wonderful experience."
Student
Craig Kielburger Secondary School
"The experience with Gateway to the Trades has been very positive and seamless. I would highly recommend any employer take part in this initiative."
Iris Bachar
HR Specialist
"ApprenticeSearch.com has quite literally changed my life. Working with them prepared me for everything about the skilled trades workplace. I know have an apprenticeship and fee secure in my future."
Mustafa A
Trades Apprentice

Make an Impact

Help us empower the next generation of workers and leaders. Every donation supports career education and community connection.

DONATE NOW