GPEAK
We collaborated with over 85 employers to create GPEAK – a set of resources designed to assist individuals with essential employability skills for the workplace.
Employers, community-based organizations, and educational partners in Illinois can become a GPEAK site and gain access to free training materials. Help individuals at your organization improve their essential employability skills.
What is GPEAK?
- Assessment Tool – for individuals going through the training.
- Digital Badges – at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold level for individuals completing GPEAK.
- Curricular Resources – free curricular materials that organizations can use to build customized training.
Participation
Organizations interested in using the GPEAK training materials can contact us. An orientation session will be provided for your trainers and facilitators followed by access to the GPEAK curricular materials.
Contact GPEAKGPEAK Competencies and Performance Indicators
At the foundation of the GPEAK system are the Illinois Recommended Technicial and Essential Employability Competencies (PWR Act, April 2020), and a set of related Performance Indicators defined through extensive input from GPEAK employer representatives. GPEAK training materials are available for each of the ten competencies.
Teamwork & Conflict Resolution
Individuals can use their understanding of working cooperatively with others to complete work assignments and achieve mutual goals.
Adaptability & Flexibility
Individuals can use their understanding of workplace change and variety to be open to new ideas and handle ambiguity.
Cultural Competence
Individuals can use their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion to communicate and work effectively across a multitude of abilities, cultures, and backgrounds.
Communication Skills
Individuals can use their understanding of written, verbal, and digital communication practices to convey ideas and express information effectively.
Problem Solving
Individuals can use their problem-solving skills to generate and evaluate solutions as they relate to the needs of the team, customer, and company.
Decision Making
Individuals use their understanding of problem solving to implement and communicate solutions.
Critical Thinking
Individuals use their understanding of logic and reasoning to analyze and address problems.
Initiative & Self-Drive
Individuals can use their understanding of goal setting and personal impact to achieve professional goals and understand personal impact.
Reliability & Accountability
Individuals can use their understanding of commitment, time management, and follow through to ensure that a professional team functions properly and meets collective goals.
Planning & Organizing
Individuals can use their understanding of time management to plan effectively and accomplish assigned tasks.
GPEAK Background
GPEAK was developed in 2020 in partnership with Peoria’s CEO Council, the Regional Workforce Development Alliance, the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, the NIU Outreach, Engagement, and Regional Development, and the Illinois Community College Board.
Over 85 employer representatives participated on the project to provide input on the GPEAK framework and resources. In the first two years, 2,000 individuals participated in GPEAK, and over 3,500 badges were awarded.