Ottawa’s next generation of tech talent just got a major boost
This past September, “back to school” meant something entirely new for a group of Ottawa high school students. Instead of returning to a traditional classroom, they stepped into a state-of-the-art immersive learning hub inside Canada’s largest technology park, Kanata North.
SKILLSHub Ottawa, the first program of its kind in Canada, is redefining how students learn and prepare for careers in technology. The program immerses students in hands-on, work-integrated learning experiences with some of Ottawa’s leading tech innovators.
The pioneering initiative is the result of a powerful collaboration between Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), the Skills Council of Canada (SCC), Wesley Clover, the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), KRP Properties, and powered by hiboo networks. Together, we’ve built an environment where learning meets innovation, right in the heart of the city’s most advanced technology ecosystem.
As part of OCDSB’s School Within Innovative & Future Technologies (SWIFT) program, students earn academic credits while working on real-world projects across high impact industries such as AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, mobility, medtech, and green energy.
This unique hybrid model blends traditional curriculum with immersive, tech-driven experiences. Half the classroom time is dedicated to hands-on learning—technical workshops, media labs, hackathons, mentorship, simulation, and more—delivered in collaboration with experts and businesses that call Kanata North home.
Lightning-fast fibre that fuels innovation
For SKILLSHub, innovation depends on infrastructure. The program features simulation labs, VR headsets, electric vehicle technology, 3D printing, and gaming-grade computers. These tools demand high bandwidth, reliability, and zero downtime.
The hiboo networks team assessed the site and deployed dedicated, high-speed fibre connectivity in just three days, ensuring the program went live without delay.
This was more than a technical deployment. It was a community commitment. As a proud Ottawa-based company, hiboo networks recognized that this program represents a chance to connect students directly with the future of work and empower the next generation of innovators.
Because hiboo already has high-capacity fibre infrastructure throughout Kanata North, we were able to act quickly. This is exactly what we’re built for: local agility, enterprise-grade performance, and community-first responsiveness.
“Hiboo networks is proud to be part of this collaboration and deliver seamless connectivity that enables hands-on learning with advanced technology,” said Shea Patsula, Vice President & General Manager of hiboo networks. “Supporting initiatives like SKILLSHub is core to our mission of investing in our region, creating opportunities through digital connectivity, and empowering the next generation of innovation.”
Building a community of innovators
The impact of SKILLSHub goes well beyond the classroom. It connects education, industry, and community to create real opportunities for students and measurable benefits for employers.
- For students, it’s a direct pathway to careers in high-tech. They graduate with industry-relevant experience, confidence, and the skills to step directly into roles across Ottawa’s thriving technology sector.
- For employers, it bridges the gap between talent and business needs. Local companies are helping shape the curriculum to ensure it reflects emerging technologies and workforce trends, creating a steady pipeline of prepared, capable graduates.
- For the community, it signals Ottawa’s commitment to innovation-driven education and workforce development, solidifying our city’s reputation as a global technology hub.
SKILLSHub represents a new model for collaboration between educators, government, and private enterprise. It’s a living example of what can be achieved when local organizations unite around a shared purpose: building a future-ready talent ecosystem for our region.
A connected future starts here
For Ottawa’s business leaders, SKILLSHub is more than an educational program. It’s an investment in the city’s future workforce and innovation ecosystem. It exemplifies how collaboration can translate into tangible outcomes: better learning environments, stronger talent pipelines, and a more connected community.
As a local network provider serving Ottawa-Gatineau’s business community, hiboo networks is proud to have played a role in bringing this vision to life.
By extending digital infrastructure to educational and enterprise environments alike, hiboo is helping Ottawa embrace the next phase of digital transformation, where learning, collaboration, and innovation all happen seamlessly.
We believe programs like SKILLSHub don’t just prepare students for future careers, they prepare our region for global leadership in technology.
Unleash success with hiboo networks
Whether you’re launching a new initiative, building a smarter workspace, or connecting a community program, hiboo networks provides the speed, reliability, and local partnership to make it happen.
Give us a call anytime at (613) 800-8140 or schedule a chat with a local connectivity expert!