At HIEC, we believe that career development is essential to student success and lifelong achievement. With 35 years of expertise in connecting education, industry, and community, we’re proud to be at Ontario’s forefront of career coaching. This year, the Ministry of Education selected HIEC as the delivery agent for a new Career Coaching program for Grade 9 and 10 students across all publicly funded secondary schools. This initiative reflects our mission to provide young people with the guidance, resources, and confidence they need to navigate their career paths.

This career coaching initiative is a natural extension of HIEC’s long-standing mission to bridge gaps between education, industry, and community. We recognize that education alone can’t fully prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of today’s workforce; it takes collaboration, innovation, and the strength of partnerships to ensure young people are equipped for success.

Launched in 1999 as Canada’s first online job-matching platform dedicated exclusively to skilled trades, ApprenticeSearch.com represents a forward-thinking approach to workforce development and job accessibility. With a vision ahead of its time, HIEC recognized the potential of digital technology to streamline the hiring process, creating a platform that would connect aspiring tradespeople with employers efficiently and effectively. This innovation broke new ground, making ApprenticeSearch.com a national leader in skilled trades recruitment.

Since expanding nationwide in 2022, ApprenticeSearch.com has become a critical resource to address Canada’s skilled worker shortage. By simplifying the hiring process and offering tailored job matching, the platform allows businesses of all sizes—from small, family-owned shops to large-scale companies—to connect with skilled talent, supporting workforce growth across sectors.

To meet the unique needs of job seekers, ApprenticeSearch.com’s Gateway to the Trades program provides wrap-around support beyond job placement. Participants receive guidance in job readiness skills and career pathways, focusing on supporting those from equity-deserving groups. In 2023, Gateway to the Trades celebrated the success of 368 graduates, 250 of whom secured skilled trades positions, creating tangible apprenticeships and career advancement opportunities.

ApprenticeSearch.com is more than a job-matching site; it solves one of Canada’s most pressing workforce challenges. By leveraging technology to expand access and bridge connections, we are creating pathways to meaningful employment and helping to build a resilient, inclusive, skilled trades workforce for the future.

“ApprenticeSearch.com was built on a bold vision: to harness technology to bridge gaps in the skilled trades workforce and create opportunities for those who need them most,” said Kelly Hoey, Executive Director of HIEC. “Since 1999, we’ve been proud to lead this digital transformation, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to connect with talent and empowering job seekers to pursue rewarding careers. Today, ApprenticeSearch.com is a lifeline for the skilled trades industry, offering vital support and resources to help build a diverse and resilient workforce for Canada’s future.”

At HIEC, mentorship is a cornerstone of our mission, providing young people with role models and networks that can inspire and guide their career paths. Our Women as Career Coaches (WACC) program exemplifies this dedication. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, WACC has connected over 12,000 young women with mentors, encouraging them to explore diverse career pathways and build confidence in pursuing their aspirations. More than a mentorship program, WACC is a community where young women gain inspiration and practical advice to help them see new possibilities for their futures. Many students have shared that the experience expanded their career horizons and reduced anxiety about their future, knowing they have a support network. A hallmark of WACC’s impact is that former mentees often return as mentors, ready to inspire the next generation.

Complementing WACC is HIEC’s Women in Skilled Trades Peer Mentorship Group, a unique initiative to support women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Recognizing the challenges women often face in the skilled trades, the WIST Peer Mentorship Group provides a safe and empowering space where participants can connect, share experiences, and receive guidance from mentors who understand the specific demands of these professions. 

HIEC’s Skilled Trades Industry Networking Speaker Series provides a vital link between students and professionals. This series offers students an in-depth look at various skilled trades and other career pathways. In the past year alone, 72 virtual events connected more than 800 pre-apprenticeship students with mentors and employers, allowing students to gain firsthand insights into the trades and guiding them toward informed career decisions.

Recognizing the influence of family in career planning, HIEC launched the Parents as Career Coaches podcast in 2023. Co-hosted by Kelly Hoey and career development expert Phil Jarvis, this podcast helps parents and guardians have meaningful conversations about career possibilities with their children. By providing expert advice, the podcast helps families make informed decisions that can positively impact young people’s career journeys.

“Families play such a vital role in young people’s career journeys, and we created the Parents as Career Coaches podcast to support that influence,” said Kelly Hoey, Executive Director of HIEC. “With expert insights and practical advice, this podcast empowers parents and guardians to have meaningful, informed conversations with their children about future possibilities. Together, we’re helping families confidently navigate the career landscape so they can inspire and guide the next generation toward fulfilling paths.”