Leadership Community Updates | Greater Peoria Pathways
Each quarter, our friends at the Illinois Education and Career Success Network provide updates from Leadership Communities on the work being done to equitably increase postsecondary attainment across Illinois. These updates showcase progress and innovative ideas that inspire and help build a strong sense of community and support throughout the state.
The efforts for Greater Peoria Pathways is spearheaded by the Emerging Workforce Alliance which is a pillar of the Regional Workforce Alliance and the committee that focuses on programs, services, initiatives, and resources to help students as well as early and emerging talent gain postsecondary credentials for better careers.
Junior Achievement - 8th Annual CareerSpark Expo
Junior Achievement partners with the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council to organize CareerSpark, happening this year on October 1 & 2. This year there has been over 4,200 8th grade students registered to attend, representing 50+ schools from 11 counties around Greater Peoria! Of course, this work couldn't be done without the help of our extraordinary community and volunteers - this year we expect over 350 volunteers across both days.
This isn't just a career fair. JA supports teachers before and after the event to educate students on career pathways and has designed CareerSpark to be a fully hands-on career exploration activity which helps educators meet PaCE requirements! Also, JA hosts CareerSpark: You're Hired for high school and college students (up to 25 years old) and is launching a Mobile Discover Center for the region this Spring, which will enable JA BizTown for 5th & 6th grades as well as JA Finance Park for 7th & 8th graders also designed to support the PaCE framework.
PERFECT EFE & CCPE's
PERFECT is Peoria's office of Education for Employment. They oversee the College & Career Pathway Endorsements (CCPE) program. It was a great update to learn that 44 member districts have completed CCPE plans and GP Pathways has seen 96 students earn the CCPE credentials.
Distillery Labs Innovation Hub
The region saw the ribbon cutting of the new Distillery Labs. This co-working, entrepreneurship incubator maker space is a new addition to the downtown area of Peoria. Distillery Labs hosted local schools to tour the facility to see how partnerships can be forged. Further, the Workforce Solutions Team at Greater Peoria EDC is pleased to partner with Distillery Labs to bring new opportunities for high school students to learn about various careers, including entrepreneurship and culinary arts, to have a place to hang out and meet like-minded students from across the region, and to help share their passions with others.
Bradley University: Enabling Success in Mathematics
Bradley University shared a new math course they are using to help students on career pathways to be more successful at math. Information on this course can be found in the course details.
Great News from other Leadership Communities...
In Lake County, they are launching Career Navig8 Lake County, a large-scale career exploration event that will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds on October 30. The event is open to all 8th graders and high schoolers across Lake County and is designed to inspire students to explore and plan their careers in collaboration with local businesses. This supports alignment with the PaCE framework and connects local business with the emerging workforce.
Prospect High School recent graduate Ava Foster's internship with the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission blossomed into a full-blown passion for environmental science. The Commission provides students with hands-on experience in land management and environmental conservation. This journey solidified Ava's desire to make a meaningful impact on the world.
Finalized: Updated Model Programs of Study Guides
After a public comment period, EdSystems and the Illinois Community College Board are pleased to release final revisions to eight of the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides. Key changes reflect updated labor market information for the sectors of agriculture, food, and natural resources; architecture, construction, and energy; arts and communications; education; finance and business services; health sciences and technology; information technology; and manufacturing and engineering.
Stay in the Know: Subscribe to receive the Illinois Education & Career Success Network and PWR Act Newsletters & Event Invitations: https://us10.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=54de86eb091d4db8aae3fbf31&id=67b8bff31f&e=9d6d66b7ac
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