Spoon River College, in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board, has adopted the national Career Cluster framework. This initiative complements other state level efforts to enhance workforce and career development. Career Clusters are groups of occupations and industries that have in common a set of foundational knowledge and skills. There are 16 nationally recognized clusters within which are multiple Career Pathways. The pathways are multi-year programs of academic and technical study that prepare students for a full range of postsecondary options within each of the 16 clusters. (An Introduction to Illinois CTE Programs of Study, 2008. Published by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board.)

For more information about the Career Clusters initiative visit www.careerclusters.org.

The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of the:

  States’ Career Clusters Initiative, 2009, www.careerclusters.org

	The production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.	Food Products and Processing Systems Plant Systems Animal Systems Power, Structural & Technical Systems Natural Resources Systems Environmental Service Systems Agribusiness Systems.
	Careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.	Design/Pre-Construction Construction Maintenance/Operations
	Designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.	Audio and Video Technology and Film Printing Technology Visual Arts Performing Arts Journalism and Broadcasting Telecommunications
	Planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Business Management and Administration career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy.	General Management Human Resource Management Business Information Management Administrative Support Operations Management
	Planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services.	Administration and Administrative Support Professional Support Services Teaching/Training
	Planning, services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.	Securities and Investments Business Finance Banking Services Insurance Accounting
	Executing governmental functions to include Governance; National Security; Foreign Service; Planning; Revenue and Taxation; Regulation; and Management and Administration at the local, state, and federal levels.	Governance National Security Foreign Service Planning Revenue and Taxation Regulation Public Management and Administration
	Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.	Therapeutic Services Diagnostic Services Health Informatics Support Services Biotechnology Research and Development
	Management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other foodservices, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.	Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services Lodging Travel & Tourism Recreation, Amusements & Attractions
	Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs.	Early Childhood Development & Services Counseling & Mental Health Services Family & Community Services Personal Care Services Consumer Services
	Building linkages in IT Occupations Framework: For Entry Level, Technical, and Professional Careers Related to the Design, Development, Support and Management of Hardware, Software, Multimedia, and Systems Integration Services.	Network Systems Information Support and Services Web and Digital Communications Programming and Software Development
	Planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.	Correction Services Emergency and Fire Management Services Security & Protective Services Law Enforcement Services Legal Services
	Planning, managing and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing/process engineering.	Production Manufacturing Production Process Development Maintenance, Installation & Repair Quality Assurance Logistics & Inventory Control Health Safety and Environmental Assurance
	Planning, managing, and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.	Marketing Management Professional Sales Merchandising Marketing Communications Marketing Research
	Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.	Engineering and Technology Science and Math
	Planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional and technical support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance.	Transportation Operations Logistics Planning and Management Services Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management and Regulation Health, Safety and Environmental Management Sales and Service