Greater Peoria Pathways hosted its Emerging Workforce Alliance meeting in early September, at which collaborative partners shared the following highlights:
- ISAC shared the dates of its coming symposiums and workshops, as well as the new training it is providing for middle schools on utilizing the PaCE framework. Information about the FAFSA was also discussed.
- Junior Achievement shared information about the region’s signature event – CareerSpark! Success Network Leadership Communities are invited to Peoria October 1-2 to experience this hands-on career fair for 8th graders. In addition to this experience, Junior Achievement will bring a Mobile Discovery Center to the area this spring. It will implement JA BizTown (grades 5 or 6) or JA Finance Park (grades 7 or 8), which correlate with the PaCE framework.
- The region’s CCPE Specialist, who works throughout the Peoria County EFE, shared area data on earned credentials. Forty-four member districts completed plans, and 96 students earned credentials.
- 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.
- 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.