Ontario Career Lab expands province-wide to boost early career education in schools
A new initiative backed by the Ontario Ministry of Education introduces real-world career coaching to students through in-person, online, and hybrid formats.
The Ontario Career Lab Website, Image credit: CNW Group/HIEC
A new Canada-based career education initiative, The Ontario Career Lab, a new career education initiative developed by Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC), is now available in schools across Ontario. Backed by the Ontario Ministry of Education and supported by employers across the province, the program connects Grade 9 and 10 students with professionals for small-group career conversations.
HIEC, a nonprofit specializing in youth workforce development, designed the program to support early career planning. The sessions are delivered in person, online, or through a hybrid model, and focus on student engagement, labor market insight, and mentorship from professionals in high-demand sectors.
Program overview and delivery
Delivered across the publicly funded school system, including in youth justice facilities, the Ontario Career Lab supports early exposure to the workforce through a structured coaching format. According to HIEC, the model promotes career readiness through:
Interactive conversations with industry volunteers
Bilingual, localized programming
Access to data on local job opportunities
Focus on in-demand sectors and emerging roles
Each session emphasizes real-world stories and decision-making, allowing students to explore possible career paths through honest, informal discussion.
Paul Calandra, Minister of Education, says the initiative aligns with the province’s efforts to better prepare students for long-term success.
“Our students need to be ready to take on the jobs of tomorrow, and that means making sure they get the right support today,” says Calandra. “It’s about working together – the province, teachers, and employers – to make sure every student has a clear path to a good-paying, stable career in Ontario.”
Since its initial launch, the program has delivered more than 130,000 hours of coaching, mobilized thousands of career coaches, and reported positive student feedback:
95% of participants say it helped them think more clearly about future careers.
94% report greater awareness of job options.
94% feel more confident making career decisions.
These figures align with research from the OECD, which links early employer engagement to improved long-term outcomes, including job satisfaction and reduced youth unemployment.
Expanding access and seeking volunteers
The program continues to recruit Career Coaches from across sectors. Volunteers can participate remotely or in person and are provided with a framework to guide discussions.
Kelly Hoey, executive director at HIEC, says: “Ontario’s schools are doing incredibly impactful work to prepare students for the future, but they can’t be expected to do it alone. The Ontario Career Lab brings education, community, and industry together in a powerful way, allowing students to explore career pathways by connecting with people who’ve lived them.”
