The PACE program is a 4-hour career planning program developed in New Brunswick to promote self-sufficiency. It covers topics like developing a career plan, employability skills, financial literacy, and effective job searching. A pilot of the program for high school students received positive feedback. PACE can be adapted for different audiences and includes workbooks and facilitator guides to assist with delivery.

1. Plan to Achieve Career Excellence PACE © Steve Carle May 2008 PACE has been developed at The Work Room through the partnership of the School District 6 and the Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour.

2. The purpose of PACE is to promote self-sufficiency. The core belief of this program is that a person’s self -sufficiency is tied to positive and progressive career development. In short, a successful person is one who is working at a job they love. This has positive ramifications for the individual’s well being, the stability of their family, their contribution to their community and growth of the local economy. PACE is designed to help the public access the resources they need to develop a successful career plan and introduce a practical framework to apply that knowledge. This version is a four hour career planning program. It covers the following topics: Developing a career plan Employability skills and establishing one’s personal “brand” Financial literacy Effective job search strategies/Workplace professionalism http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/ Introduction

3. This program addresses the section Transforming Our Workforce in provincial self- sufficiency action plan. To become self-sufficient, New Brunswickers must have the opportunity to become stronger and more self-reliant. We need a new generation of healthy, productive and creative citizens who have the learning and skills to seize the opportunities offered by a better New Brunswick. Through these transformations (outlined in the action plan), we will provide our people with the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives, pursue their passions and continually learn new skills. As the provincial government works to create opportunities in the workforce, the onus is on New Brunswickers to prepare for those opportunities through personal career management. http://www.gnb.ca/0000/kidsfirst-e.asp Background

4. This program will be available to members of the general public through The Work Room career resource centres funded through the Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour. This program may be of particular interest to the following target audiences: Members of the general public who are unemployed or underemployed Employment insurance recipients Students making a transition from school to the workforce Newly landed immigrants Older workers seeking employment after retirement Injured workers seeking retraining for their career Stay-at-home parents reintegrating into the workforce Paroled individuals entering the workforce after incarceration Anyone seeking a career change http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/ Targeted Client Groups

5. The four program modules are as follows: Module 1: Developing a career plan Introduction of a 5 step career planning model. Identifying your interests Research careers The 6 Post-secondary destinations Employability Skills 2000+ Job search strategies The first 3 steps are covered in module1. The rest of the career planning model is referenced in subsequent modules. Workbooks have been developed to help people build their career plan by working through a series of activities. http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/ Program Delivery

6. Module 2: Employability skills and establishing one’s personal “brand” Introduction of the Conference Board of Canada’s, Employability Skills 2000+ . Activities to help participants understand what skills employers value and introduce strategies to help them develop these skill sets. Introduction of the concept of personal branding. What makes you compelling? (interests/traits) What do you stand for? (values/goals) What make you stand out? (marketable/transferable skills) Program Delivery http://www.conferenceboard.ca/

7. Module 3: Financial Literacy This section covers the following topics: Saving for post-secondary education/children’s education Budgets and responsible money management Establishing and maintaining good credit Fraud, scams and identity theft Provincial and community-based resources for people in financial need Many of the resources used to facilitate this module are available through the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education’s website. The Canadian Banker’s Association is another valuable resource for information in this module. http://www.cfee.org http://cba.ca/ Program Delivery

8. Module 4: Effective job search strategies/Workplace professionalism This section covers the following topics: How to write a resume and cover letter Strategies to find employment Interview techniques Workplace professionalism Dealing with stress and conflicts in the workplace How to ask for a raise/promotion Strategic career development Successful completion of the program will result in a certificate that can be included in a person’s professional portfolio. Participants can keep all the resource material provided through this program to support their continued career development. http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/ Program Delivery

9. 82% Positive rating 14% Neutral rating 4% Negative rating In February 2008, a pilot was conducted at Kennebecasis Valley High School with 224 grade 11 students. The program was very similar to the one outlined in this presentation, but targeted towards a younger audience. It was 4 weeks in duration, one module delivered in the classroom each week. Student feedback for the entire program was very positive. It is scheduled to be launched through all high schools in District 6 in September 2008. Pilot Program http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/

10. PACE is very adaptable to a wide variety of audiences. Twelve specialized workbooks have been developed to assist in program delivery. PACE can even help those who really aren’t motivated to develop a career plan! http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/ Product Line

11. PACE has facilitator’s guides for program delivery to students, educators and the general public. A 60 minute parent workshop is also available to assist parents in becoming career coaches for their children. PACE can even help those who really aren’t motivated to develop a career plan! http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca/ Product Line

12. For more information on PACE and additional career planning resources please visit: www.careersthatwork.ca or http://theworkroom.nbed.nb.ca © Steve Carle May 2008