The PAES Lab

The PAES Lab is a configured, equipped learning environment where students perform authentic tasks across five vocational areas. Not a simulator. Not a worksheet. Real tools, real materials, real work.

What's in a PAES Lab

Five vocational areas, set up in a single space. Each area is designed so students can move between jobs without disruption, and so supervisors can observe from a central position.

The five vocational areas

Business and Marketing: office tasks, data entry, customer interaction, inventory.
Construction and Industrial: hand tools, assembly, measurement, material handling.
Consumer and Service: food handling, hospitality tasks, domestic services.
Processing and Production: packaging, sorting, quality control, production flow.
Computer Technology: keyboarding, basic IT, software use, digital tasks.

Each area contains 8 to 10 job cards, with six levels, progressing in difficulty as employees advance. Over 250 unique jobs across the five areas of work. Employees rotate through them across the assessment cycle, giving supervisors multiple data points across different contexts.

Student operating a cash register in the Business and Marketing area — **Business & Marketing**Cash handling and customer interaction.

Student sorting hardware in the Construction and Industrial area — **Construction & Industrial**Tool use, assembly, parts handling.

Student at a sewing machine in the Consumer and Service area — **Consumer & Service**Domestic and service-industry tasks.

Student packing inventory in the Processing and Production area — **Processing & Production**Packing, sorting, quality control.

Student at a workspace in the Computer Technology area — **Computer Technology**Digital tasks and software-based work.

Student working through a job card in the lab — **Real jobs, real records**Job cards, documentation, observation.

Photos from the PAES Lab at Belleville High School. Used with site permission.

Space and setup

A full PAES Lab needs roughly 1,200 to 1,500 square feet (typical). Smaller footprints are possible with the compact configuration. We'll work with what you have.

Full lab: 1,500 sq ft, all five areas, up to 10 students per session.
Standard lab: 1,200 sq ft, all five areas, up to 8 students.
Compact lab: 800 sq ft (roughly the size of a small apartment), streamlined layout, up to 6 students.

Floor plans and equipment lists are available for each configuration.

Download floor plans (PDF)

What's included

The standard PAES Lab package (US pricing, $39,875) ships with:

The full PAES system across all five vocational areas: Business/Marketing, Computer Technology, Consumer/Service, Processing/Production, Construction/Industrial
7 shelving units for storage
1 heavy duty workbench
Lab unpack and one-day on-site training with a certified PAES trainer
First-year PAES Scan App software license included
Job manuals for supervisors
Access to the PAES supervisor community across US schools and international partners

PAES Scan App renews at $1,500 per year, or pre-purchase up to five years at $1,000 each. App runs on iPad (iOS 15.5+) or Android tablet (6.0+) with a 9.7" screen or larger. Pricing varies by configuration and region; request a quote for your district.

Installation

From order to first student, a typical PAES Lab is operational in 8 to 12 weeks. That includes space planning, equipment delivery, setup, and supervisor training. A regional rep walks your team through every step.

Where PAES Labs live

Special education classrooms. CTE wings. Workforce development centers. Alternative programs. Vocational rehabilitation service centers. UK specialist colleges. PAES Labs are in high schools, middle schools, transition programs, and post-secondary settings across the US, UK, Canada, and Guam.

Find a lab near you (Lab Locator)

Next step

Request floor plans Book a site visit to see a working lab in your region