70 Years of Impact: Stories That Shape Junior Achievement
Ready, Set, Work! Celebrating 25+ Years of the 7th Grade JA Career Work Day & QCCTEC

For over 25 years, the Quad City Career & Technical Education Consortium (QCCTEC) and Junior Achievement (JA) have partnered to provide special population students with transformative career exploration. Now led by Special Populations Coordinator Steve Smithers and the QCCTEC team, the annual 7th Grade Career Work Day introduces students to essential workplace skills in a highly supportive environment. This February 2026, 34 students from Wilson Middle, Northeast Junior High, Geneseo Middle, Cambridge Junior High, and Edison Junior High gathered for the event at the JA Inspiration Center in Moline.

The students rotated through immersive, 20-minute career sessions in Animal Care, Delivery and Mail Services, Grocery Store Operations, Banking, and Restaurant Work. Built on an engaging “learning while earning” model, the program empowered students to complete hands-on tasks while mastering vital soft skills like communication, teamwork, customer service, and time management.

Beyond just learning the ropes, the students got to experience the tangible rewards of employment. At the end of their shifts, each student was issued an actual paycheck. To access their funds, they were required to endorse the check with their own signature and take it directly to the center's bank to process. With their hard-earned wages in hand, the students experienced the thrill of financial independence, managing their money to shop for items at makeshift stores created specifically for the event.

The day also featured lunch from Jersey Mike’s and an interactive session with Weinert Music Therapy to foster community and connection. Made possible by dedicated volunteers from QCCTEC, JA, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, and Weinert Music Therapy, the event was a remarkable success.

After more than two and a half decades, this initiative continues to be a powerful catalyst for personal growth. Students gain invaluable insight into the workforce, leaving the Inspiration Center with newfound confidence, independence, and the inspiration to explore their boundless potential.