HIEC is a not-for-profit social enterprise with a focus on partnership, mentorship and workforce development.
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20th Anniversary Gala
Celebrating 20 years!
HALTON, ON – On November 17th, 2009 the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) celebrated 20 years of partnership, innovation and mentorship at the Burlington Convention Centre with keynote speaker Richard Florida. In attendance, along with the HIEC Board of Directors and staff, were the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, His Worship Cam Jackson from the City of Burlington and His Worship Gord Krantz from the Town of Milton – among many other councillors, school board trustees and partners from industry and education.
The evening began with a bang, as the M.M. Robinson High School Drumline escorted in the head table and the HIEC Board of Directors. The student participation did not end there – throughout the evening the nearly 500 guests in attendance heard testimonials from past cooperative education students, enjoyed floral centerpieces created by Robert Bateman High School Floral Design students and heard live music by students from Burlington Central High School and a graduate from Notre Dame High School.
HIEC Board Chair Mike Carberry was in fact the inaugural Chair of the HIEC Board of Directors who, along with the Halton Catholic, Halton District School Board, Sheridan College, the four Chambers of Commerce, local industry and education came together on November 17, 1989 to form an Industry Education Council in Halton. For over two decades, HIEC has brought business and education together with the determined vision of fostering partnerships between industry and education – a relationship encouraged by the night’s keynote speaker, Richard Florida.
Thought leader Richard Florida, author of the global best seller Who’s Your City? and Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute, Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto took to the stage later in the evening and spoke about how it is important for communities to embrace education and industry, and nurture the creativity in each and every one of us. He also made reference to Canadian regions, like Halton, which are becoming the power-houses in this country.
Bob Percy, chair of the HIEC Board of Directors, spoke about the organization’s vital role in local economy during his keynote address. “HIEC’s mission is to support youth in finding work they feel passionately about,” Percy said. “When people are motivated and inspired by their work, local industry flourishes.” HIEC Executive Director Kelly Hoey joined Percy on stage, speaking frankly about what has been a challenging year for the organization.
“Government funding cuts have revealed areas of vulnerability in our programs and services,” Hoey said to a crowd peppered with former HIEC board members and champions. “But to see our partners in industry, education, and community gathered here tonight and speaking with the people who conceived of this organization 25 years ago, it’s clear that our role in Halton Region is as necessary now as it was then. Creativity is driven by necessity, and we’re taking a creative approach to planning the next 25 years. HIEC is ready for this next step.”
To mark its 25 year of service, HIEC invited a slate of long-standing champions to represent the organization’s past, present, and future in its lively keynote program. Guests sported hand-made buttons indicating their tie to the organization—as an event attendee, board member, or program participant.
Georgetown District High School student Fiona Smith drew applause during the evening’s formal program when she, joined by friend Mara Caldwell, spoke about her experience with several of HIEC’s most beloved programs, including Connecting Generations Through Technology and the Grade 8 Career Awareness Program.
HIEC plays a critical support role for both the Halton District and Halton Catholic District School Boards, offering access to services and programs that enhance experiential learning and pathways education in Halton. HIEC recruits for and helps to coordinate cooperative education, provides a variety of supports and training sessions for educators, chairs and convenes meetings with partners across education and industry, and offers resources dedicated to providing information about a range of local learning programs. Following through on its commitment to inspiring informed career decisions, HIEC provides support for post-secondary pathways in Halton and does work with Sheridan College and its GTA affiliates.
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