Lead Story
Peoria's PERFECT Solution
Much attention has been given to the fact that the Peoria area needs quality, qualified workers to ensure its economic success. Many plans are currently in development. However, there's one organization that's been quietly working toward this goal for many years: PERFECT.
Peoria Educational Region for Employment and Career Training (PERFECT) is the Education for Employment (EFE) office whose responsibility it is to oversee and administer career and technical education (CTE) in the area, according to director Carol Leach. "EFE systems were developed in 1985 to provide leadership for the state's career and technical education programs. This includes coursework in agriculture, business, family and consumer science, health occupations, and industrial technology. PERFECT staff provides technical support, assistance, and leadership and serves in a policy advisory capacity to the Illinois State Board of Education. In addition, our systems provide assistance in the areas of accountability and development of performance standards. PERFECT's mission is to enhance and promote CTE programs, creating a world-class workforce for the 21st century."
Leach said some of the regional work-based learning programs provided to area students include automotive maintenance and light repair, construction, culinary arts, Emergency Medical Technician-basic, manufacturing skilled trades, and Project Lead the Way. "Additional programs offered in conjunction with Illinois Central College include building services, criminal justice, graphic design, and health occupations."
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the newest work-based learning program offered by PERFECT, she said. "PLTW is a nationally recognized program designed to attract high school juniors and seniors who've already selected engineering or engineering technology as a career or who're interested in learning more about engineering careers. The Peoria Area PLTW offers a two-year sequence of four courses which, when combined with traditional mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering prior to entering college."
Leach said community partnerships are an important component to PERFECT's success. "PERFECT has been very fortunate to have strong community and industry support over the past several years. One of our strongest partnerships is with the Tri-County Construction Labor-Management Council and its many union construction industry representatives. T.R.I.C.O.N. and PERFECT have received the Connections Award of Distinction from the Illinois State Board of Education on four separate occasions. Award-winning programs include Women in Construction Day, Construction Industry Educator Job Shadow, Construction Industry Career Expo, and the Construction Industry Work-Based Learning Program."
These partnerships aren't stagnant, she said. "PERFECT is continuously building and maintaining partnerships with community and industry representatives based on the needs of ongoing programs and activities. We're very thankful that most businesses in central Illinois realize the overall importance of career and technical education opportunities for our future workforce."
In addition to providing work-based learning programs for students in the region, Leach said PERFECT also provides support services for special population students in career and technical education classes. "Special population students who benefit from these services include students with disabilities, academically and economically disadvantaged students, students with limited English proficiency, nontraditional students, and pregnant and/or parenting teens. Paraprofessionals at area high schools provide direct assistance to special population students. Other services thought to be necessary and appropriate for the special population student to succeed are also considered."
One event targeted to a specialized population is the Teen Parent Summit. "It's an excellent tool to address the various needs of single pregnant and parenting students such as guidance, counseling and transition, and recruitment and retention for career and technical occupations-specifically those considered nontraditional in both secondary and post-secondary settings," she said. "The coordination and collaboration of various agencies include Illinois Central College and Tazewell Education for Employment. The Summit provides students a solid support structure, ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed. Students receive up-to-date materials detailing job/wage information, financial assistance, and parenting tips. A special focus is placed on employability and workplace skills, as well as balancing education and work."
Perhaps the most important element is that students are exposed to the culture of the community college. "This creates a link between their high school and post-secondary education," Leach said. "Guidance, counseling, and transition support are provided throughout the Summit, and we hope to continue this very beneficial event in the future."
Younger kids benefit from PERFECT as well, participating in such events as Middle School Career Day. "This event is designed to help students begin thinking about what interests them and then connects those interests to career path opportunities available to them in high school," she said. "Each student has the opportunity to explore different occupations, which prompts them to explore different career paths and begin setting goals. Professionals, representing six of the Illinois Career Interest Areas, connect them to the real world of work through their presentations. Developing goals in middle school is an important component to being successful in high school and getting into the college and/or the right career of their choice."
The staff often brainstorms classes and programs to meet upcoming needs of students and employers. "We may offer a course in microcomputer networking. If there's enough interest and enrollment, this course will be offered beginning in fall 2005. I currently serve on the Education Committee for Peoria Next; as future workforce needs are determined through this initiative, other classes may be added in the future."
Leach, who's been the PERFECT director for 10 years, said the best part of her job is seeing students succeed and mature in their CTE coursework. "Work-based learning programs let students 'try out' careers, so part of the success of these students is helping them decide which career might be right for them. Students learn the high academic standards required, and it allows them to see the relevance of their academic courses. They see the application of how academic skills relate to the workplace. I also enjoy working with businesses in the community when we're setting up work-based learning programs. PERFECT serves as the liaison between the businesses and the schools in the region. We're very encouraged by the support of the business community in the Peoria area and look forward to working with them in the future." TPW
Peoria Educational Region for Employment and Career Training (PERFECT) is the Education for Employment (EFE) office whose responsibility it is to oversee and administer career and technical education (CTE) in the area, according to director Carol Leach. "EFE systems were developed in 1985 to provide leadership for the state's career and technical education programs. This includes coursework in agriculture, business, family and consumer science, health occupations, and industrial technology. PERFECT staff provides technical support, assistance, and leadership and serves in a policy advisory capacity to the Illinois State Board of Education. In addition, our systems provide assistance in the areas of accountability and development of performance standards. PERFECT's mission is to enhance and promote CTE programs, creating a world-class workforce for the 21st century."
Leach said some of the regional work-based learning programs provided to area students include automotive maintenance and light repair, construction, culinary arts, Emergency Medical Technician-basic, manufacturing skilled trades, and Project Lead the Way. "Additional programs offered in conjunction with Illinois Central College include building services, criminal justice, graphic design, and health occupations."
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is the newest work-based learning program offered by PERFECT, she said. "PLTW is a nationally recognized program designed to attract high school juniors and seniors who've already selected engineering or engineering technology as a career or who're interested in learning more about engineering careers. The Peoria Area PLTW offers a two-year sequence of four courses which, when combined with traditional mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering prior to entering college."
Leach said community partnerships are an important component to PERFECT's success. "PERFECT has been very fortunate to have strong community and industry support over the past several years. One of our strongest partnerships is with the Tri-County Construction Labor-Management Council and its many union construction industry representatives. T.R.I.C.O.N. and PERFECT have received the Connections Award of Distinction from the Illinois State Board of Education on four separate occasions. Award-winning programs include Women in Construction Day, Construction Industry Educator Job Shadow, Construction Industry Career Expo, and the Construction Industry Work-Based Learning Program."
These partnerships aren't stagnant, she said. "PERFECT is continuously building and maintaining partnerships with community and industry representatives based on the needs of ongoing programs and activities. We're very thankful that most businesses in central Illinois realize the overall importance of career and technical education opportunities for our future workforce."
In addition to providing work-based learning programs for students in the region, Leach said PERFECT also provides support services for special population students in career and technical education classes. "Special population students who benefit from these services include students with disabilities, academically and economically disadvantaged students, students with limited English proficiency, nontraditional students, and pregnant and/or parenting teens. Paraprofessionals at area high schools provide direct assistance to special population students. Other services thought to be necessary and appropriate for the special population student to succeed are also considered."
One event targeted to a specialized population is the Teen Parent Summit. "It's an excellent tool to address the various needs of single pregnant and parenting students such as guidance, counseling and transition, and recruitment and retention for career and technical occupations-specifically those considered nontraditional in both secondary and post-secondary settings," she said. "The coordination and collaboration of various agencies include Illinois Central College and Tazewell Education for Employment. The Summit provides students a solid support structure, ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed. Students receive up-to-date materials detailing job/wage information, financial assistance, and parenting tips. A special focus is placed on employability and workplace skills, as well as balancing education and work."
Perhaps the most important element is that students are exposed to the culture of the community college. "This creates a link between their high school and post-secondary education," Leach said. "Guidance, counseling, and transition support are provided throughout the Summit, and we hope to continue this very beneficial event in the future."
Younger kids benefit from PERFECT as well, participating in such events as Middle School Career Day. "This event is designed to help students begin thinking about what interests them and then connects those interests to career path opportunities available to them in high school," she said. "Each student has the opportunity to explore different occupations, which prompts them to explore different career paths and begin setting goals. Professionals, representing six of the Illinois Career Interest Areas, connect them to the real world of work through their presentations. Developing goals in middle school is an important component to being successful in high school and getting into the college and/or the right career of their choice."
The staff often brainstorms classes and programs to meet upcoming needs of students and employers. "We may offer a course in microcomputer networking. If there's enough interest and enrollment, this course will be offered beginning in fall 2005. I currently serve on the Education Committee for Peoria Next; as future workforce needs are determined through this initiative, other classes may be added in the future."
Leach, who's been the PERFECT director for 10 years, said the best part of her job is seeing students succeed and mature in their CTE coursework. "Work-based learning programs let students 'try out' careers, so part of the success of these students is helping them decide which career might be right for them. Students learn the high academic standards required, and it allows them to see the relevance of their academic courses. They see the application of how academic skills relate to the workplace. I also enjoy working with businesses in the community when we're setting up work-based learning programs. PERFECT serves as the liaison between the businesses and the schools in the region. We're very encouraged by the support of the business community in the Peoria area and look forward to working with them in the future." TPW