On Thursday, March 4, 2010 the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) held the first-ever Men as Career Coaches (MACC) event. MACC welcomed over 400 guests to the Burlington Convention Centre to take part in a program dedicated to inspiring intergenerational mentorship. Both the adults and young men in attendance left the event with newfound inspiration, passion and determination as they set out on their individual career journeys.

During the event the adult men and male high school students had the opportunity to listen to many interesting and diverse speakers. The night’s line-up included Phil Pritchard, Vice President of Hockey Operations, Hockey Hall of Fame and the keeper of the Stanley Cup, Cabral ‘Cabbie’ Richards, comedian and journalist from The Score, and many other members of the Halton community representing different careers and pathways. Throughout the evening the participants watched a series of video montages that helped set the tone for the evening and emphasized the event’s theme – the hero within.

“[MACC] was an amazing event from start to finish,” said one career coach. “Thanks for another gift for our community.”

HIEC staff member Joan Powell thanks spotlight speaker
Phil Pritchard, Vice President of Hockey Operations, Hockey Hall of Fame
and the keeper of the Stanley Cup.

To start the night, students and career coaches participated in interactive displays that showcased a variety of interesting and exciting careers. Some of the interactive displays included a falconer with his bird, a racecar driver and his car, and members of the Halton Regional Police, Burlington and Milton Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Services departments.

Students also took part in table discussions with the career coaches at their tables about career paths, personal heroes and life lessons. Each student was able to gain insight about the challenges and opportunities in every pathway, while learning that each path is different and unique.

The evening came to a close with the help of highly anticipated guest speaker Cabral ‘Cabbie’ Richards, host and producer of two weekly shows on The Score: Cabbie on the Street and Cabbie Unlimited. Cabbie spoke to the audience about his career path and how his determination and perseverance got him his dream job.

“Cabbie was amazing,” praised one student attendee, as students lined up for over an hour after the event to capture a few moments with Cabbie. 

Cabral ‘Cabbie’ Richards, comedian and journalist from
The Score and MACC 2010’s guest speaker takes part in some
table discussions with a couple of attendees.

MACC was created through the shared belief that young men in our community need access to adult role models. After the event, one parent told HIEC, “thank you so much for offering such an empowering evening to our boys. My son came away from that evening beaming; full of enthusiasm, hope and a redefined sense of purpose.”

HIEC would like to thank the many sponsors and supporters of MACC, including event partner the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Without their generosity and support, MACC would have never been able to inspire so many students and adults in the Halton community.

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