{"id":92446,"date":"2025-02-21T11:47:59","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T16:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&p=92446"},"modified":"2025-02-25T16:59:02","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T21:59:02","slug":"kelly-hoey","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/kelly-hoey\/","title":{"rendered":"How HIEC\u2019s Kelly Hoey is Empowering, Connecting and Preparing Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

RBC has a long history of celebrating leaders who drive change. This International Women\u2019s Day, we\u2019re spotlighting Kelly Hoey, Executive Director of HIEC<\/a> \u2013 a not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to prepare young people for the future of work and set them on a path for a meaningful career.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A passion for helping and connecting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hoey\u2019s own journey into career development was unexpected. More than 30 years ago, she joined HIEC on a six-month contract. \u201cI didn\u2019t have this kind of support when I was in school, so when I started learning about career development, it was a revelation,\u201d she says. It was the perfect fit \u2013 combining her research skills, natural curiosity and passion for helping others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, she has played a key role in creating career readiness programs that equip youth with the knowledge, confidence and connections they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One phrase Kelly Hoey hears often from young people is: \u201cI didn\u2019t know I could change my mind.\u201d For many, the fear of making the wrong career choice can be overwhelming. Hoey helps them see that career paths are rarely linear \u2013 rather, they\u2019re exploratory journeys, full of opportunities to pivot and grow. This shift in mindset provides relief not just for young people but for their parents as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridging gaps with innovation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of Hoey\u2019s early successes was developing ApprenticeSearch.com, an online platform that connects job seekers with employers in the skilled trades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYoung people interested in apprenticeships often lacked support,\u201d she explains. \u201cIf they didn\u2019t have the right connections, it was difficult to break in.\u201d Recognizing this gap, Hoey led the development of a website that not only provided essential information about skilled trades but also matched job seekers with employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What started as a simple database has evolved into a robust system that now connects 40,000 applicants across Canada with employers. \u201cIt was about merging technology with social change \u2013 rethinking how people access opportunities outside traditional education pathways,\u201d Hoey explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adapting to a changing workforce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The future of work is constantly evolving, and Hoey has seen firsthand how career planning has shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing a new level of mindfulness,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s no longer just about getting a degree and hoping for the best. Young people and their families are thinking more strategically \u2013 is this the right fit? Does it align with my interests, skills and the impact I want to make?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research backs this up. The OECD Career Readiness Project found that youth who engage in career conversations before age 15 are more likely to have successful employment outcomes later. This reinforces the importance of HIEC\u2019s work and the value in providing young people with career insights early, exposing them to role models and helping them connect their skills to real-world opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navigating challenges in the not-for-profit sector<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leading a not-for-profit comes with its own set of challenges, and Hoey is candid about the hurdles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re always in startup mode,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting, but it\u2019s not for the faint of heart.\u201d One of the biggest struggles is securing consistent funding. HIEC\u2019s multi-funded approach means they are constantly seeking diverse funding sources, including government grants, corporate sponsorships, crowdfunding and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s also the perception that non-profits shouldn\u2019t pay competitive salaries,\u201d she adds. \u201cYet, we need highly skilled people to drive impact.\u201d Balancing financial constraints while delivering meaningful programs is a constant challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this, HIEC has built strong partnerships \u2013 including with RBC, a long-time supporter. \u201cRBC has been involved with us in some way for all 35 years we\u2019ve been around,\u201d Hoey says. From providing seed funding for key initiatives to sponsoring Women as Career Coaches, where 700 women share their career journeys, RBC has been instrumental in helping HIEC expand its reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding impact for the future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Hoey, the work is far from over. She\u2019s focused on scaling HIEC\u2019s impact and shifting the national conversation around career readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to rethink how we engage young people in work and help them connect their skills and interests to real opportunities,\u201d she says. One statistic she finds particularly concerning: only 35% of students successfully transition from school to the workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat means a lot of young people are either stuck, still figuring things out or not in education, employment or training at all,\u201d she says. \u201cWe need to address that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her vision is clear: to equip young people with the tools, confidence, and optimism to embrace the future of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really believe we\u2019re in the middle of a revolution,\u201d she says. \u201cHelping young people feel positive about their careers isn\u2019t just good for them \u2013 it\u2019s critical for communities, the economy and tackling the world\u2019s biggest challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing leadership in social change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recently, Hoey received the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award for Social Change \u2013 National Impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was honored,\u201d she says. \u201cNot just for myself, but for the recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit in the social impact sector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award also gave her a rare moment to reflect. \u201cWe\u2019re so busy doing the work that we don\u2019t always stop to tell our stories or acknowledge the progress we\u2019ve made. This has been a confidence boost \u2013 not just for me, but for our entire team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Hoey at the helm, HIEC will continue to bridge the gap between education and opportunity, helping young people not just find careers, but build futures they\u2019re excited about.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kelly Hoey has dedicated her career to guiding young people toward careers they\u2019re passionate about \u2013 helping them find not just a job, but the right path.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":92601,"parent":57335,"menu_order":0,"template":"wp-custom-template-optimizely-mmm","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[78,167,525,189],"rbc_content_type":[31],"rbc_audience":[110],"rbc_lob_group":[35],"rbc_difficulty_level":[33],"rbc_mmm_category":[305,388,325],"class_list":["post-92446","rbc_my_money_matter","type-rbc_my_money_matter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-career-planning-development","tag-community","tag-students","tag-women-led-businesses","rbc_content_type-article","rbc_audience-business-owners","rbc_lob_group-business","rbc_difficulty_level-beginner","rbc_mmm_category-business","rbc_mmm_category-business-success-stories","rbc_mmm_category-get-inspired"],"acf":{"contently_publication_id":"","custom_author":"Diane Amato","rbc_video_header":"","rbc_media_duration":"","rbc_video_keywords":"","rbc_video_description":"","rbc_video_upload_date":"","rbc_toc_for_mmm_tag":"h2","rbc_toc_for_mmm_limit":6,"rbc_toc_for_mmm":null,"rbc_toc_for_mmm_action":""},"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n