Solid workforce development efforts have continued to unfold in Greater Peoria with the launch of the 5th annual CareerSpark, a 90-day virtual career exploration event (launched on October 3). The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and their partners at Junior Achievement of Central Illinois collaborated with local volunteer employers to create 48 industry-specific virtual booths representing eight different career clusters. So far, the CareerSpark team has reached 3,499 eighth-grade students from 53 schools and homeschools!
Career exploration doesn’t stop at eighth grade. A new Career Spark event, CareerSpark You’re Hired, will launch in February of 2022. This new pilot career formation event will serve the region’s high school students. You’re Hired! builds upon the classic elements of CareerSpark while introducing a new company promotion and hiring component. Local employers will showcase their company and interact with tomorrow’s workforce, offering hiring opportunities, apprenticeships, and internships. With months until launch day, there are already 3,669 students registered (hailing from 7 different high schools)!
It takes a village to raise a generation and build a workforce. Greater Peoria is blessed with an amazing regional community of service-minded collaborators—people who care to see young people attain the postsecondary credentials they need to thrive.
