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Discover Your Future with the PaCE Framework
Register for Lunch & LearnFor Area School Leaders, LTC & Community Partners
November 19th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Quail Creek Country Club, Robinson, IL
Please RSVP by November 7th for a free lunch
Connecting classroom learning to real-world careers and empowering students to build their future in Crawford County and beyond.
What is the PaCE Framework?
PaCE stands for Pathways to Career Exploration. It's a statewide framework developed to help students in grades 6–12 connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities. The framework is part of Illinois' College and Career Pathways Endorsement System and supports students in discovering their interests, developing essential skills, and making informed decisions about their futures.
Your PaCE Journey
Awareness Stage
Focus: Building awareness of interests and careers
During middle school, students begin exploring their interests and learning about different career paths. Activities include interest inventories, career exploration activities, and introductions to various industries. Students start to understand the connection between what they learn in school and potential career opportunities.
Learn More: View the Illinois PaCE Framework for Middle School
Exploration Stage
Focus: Exploration through career assessments and guest speakers
In early high school, students dive deeper into career exploration through comprehensive career assessments, guest speakers from local businesses, and initial exposure to different career pathways. They begin to narrow their interests and understand the skills and education required for various careers.
Learn More: View the Illinois PaCE Framework for High School
Preparation Stage
Focus: Preparation via internships, dual credit, or certifications
Upper-level high school students engage in hands-on preparation through internships, job shadowing, dual credit courses, and industry certifications. They gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and make informed decisions about their post-secondary education and career paths.
Learn More: View the Illinois PaCE Framework for High School
Who Benefits from PaCE?
Students
Gain real-life experience, mentorship, and clarity about career goals while developing employability and leadership skills.
Educators
Integrate career-focused learning across subjects, connect curriculum to real-world applications, and partner with community businesses.
Employers
Build a pipeline of local, skilled talent, shape workforce development, and engage with future employees early.
Communities
Strengthen the local workforce, support economic development, and bridge education with industry needs.
Why PaCE Matters for Crawford County’s Workforce
Crawford County is working to build a strong, sustainable workforce that meets the needs of our local employers — from advanced manufacturing and healthcare to technology, agriculture, education, and skilled trades. The Pathways to Career Exploration (PaCE) framework helps ensure that every student in Crawford County graduates ready for college, career, and life, encouraging students to live and work in Crawford County.
Through PaCE, our schools and community partners align education with real-world opportunities, helping students:
- Explore career pathways that match local industry demand
- Develop essential employability and technical skills
- Participate in internships, dual credit, and work-based learning
- Connect with local employers through career exploration and mentoring
Local Workforce Snapshot
Local employers report challenges in finding skilled workers. Career awareness and early exposure increase student retention in high-demand fields. PaCE helps bridge the gap between education and employment through collaboration with Lincoln Trail College, Crawford County Development Association, and local industries such as Hershey, Marathon Petroleum, and Crawford Memorial Hospital.
Get Involved
Educators, employers, and community partners can play a vital role in shaping the future workforce of Crawford County. Join the PaCE Partnership today!
Get Involved!
Businesses and organizations play a vital role in the PaCE Framework. Your involvement helps shape the future workforce and provides students with invaluable real-world experience. Whether it's hosting a job shadow, participating in career days, or offering internships, every contribution makes a difference.
Register for the PaCE Lunch & LearnCrawford County Development Association
Partner with CCDA to connect students with career opportunities
Robinson Chamber of Commerce
Collaborate with local businesses for student experiences
Lincoln Trail College
Explore dual credit and training partnership opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PaCE important?
PaCE helps students:
- Understand career options available locally and statewide
- Gain work-based learning experiences such as job shadows and internships
- Develop employability and leadership skills
- Make purposeful decisions about education and training after high school
How does PaCE work in schools?
Schools adopt the Illinois PaCE Framework, which outlines key benchmarks for each grade level. Schools and community partners collaborate to align activities, track student progress, and recognize achievements throughout the student's journey from middle school through high school graduation.
What role do local employers play?
Employers can:
- Host student job-shadowing or internship opportunities
- Visit classrooms or participate in career days
- Provide mentorship, tours, or real-world project experiences
- Help shape the skills and experiences most valuable in today's workforce
How does PaCE connect to the community's workforce goals?
Programs like PaCE are designed to align education with local industry needs—helping students prepare for high-demand jobs and encouraging them to remain in the community. In Crawford County, PaCE helps bridge the gap between education, local businesses, and long-term economic development by providing students with practical skills like resume preparation and real-world work experience.
How can businesses or organizations get involved?
Contact the Crawford County Development Association (CCDA), Robinson Chamber of Commerce, or Lincoln Trail College (LTC) to learn how your business can partner through job shadowing, tours, or mentoring. Even small commitments—like hosting a class visit or offering a short project—make a difference.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. Schools and employers participate voluntarily. The goal is to connect existing community resources and provide structured opportunities for students to explore careers.
Where can I learn more?
Visit the Illinois PaCE Framework website for comprehensive information about the program, resources for educators and employers, and success stories from schools across Illinois. In Crawford County, PaCE is a key part of our strategy to align education with local workforce needs.