PACE: Planning and Career Exploration

The PACE Framework

PACE is the framework of the GCCC.  It was developed by more than 140 cross-sector community members to serve as a guide for school systems to design and implement a sixth through twelfth-grade student experience of embedded in-class activities, out-of-school engagements, and career advising.

The GCCC, the multi-sector partner collective, works to align and sustain the PACE Framework, regionalize across school systems, and recruit and train new partners in the ecosystem. This effort is guided by a shared agenda and a shared set of metrics.

PACE creates meaningful ways for students, our future workforce, to engage with employers and community partners. And it is a new way of thinking that shifts the conversation adults have with scholars from “Will you attend college or go straight into a career?” to “What is your career goal? Here are multiple ways you can get there.”

PACE is built upon four core components and associated skills.

The four components are:

  • self-knowledge and self-awareness

  • career awareness and career exploration

  • active career planning and decision-making; and

  • work- and career-based learning.

And the associated skills include financial literacy, preparing for employability, and networking.

PACE:

  • acknowledges each student is different and sets all individuals up for success

  • provides student support and advising to explore their passions and dreams

  • encourages students to actively make decisions and plan a career pathway that helps them achieve their goals

  • calls upon the community and industry to open their doors to allow for the exploration of many occupations and career possibilities

PACE is...

  • Getting youth excited about potential occupational or career opportunities

  • Shifting the conversation from “Will you attend college or go straight to a career?” to “What is your career goal?”

  • Providing resources and support to each scholar so they can create their own pathway to reach their goal

  • Preparing the next generation of workers before they graduate

  • Making connections for scholars to meet with and learn from professionals

  • A quality framework for engaging with youth in experiences that are equitable, experiential, accessible, and connective

  • Facilitating experiences where everyone is prepared, accountable, and respectful

  • Access to a new talent pipeline

  • Giving back to the community