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Pre-ETS Services and Resources

pre-ets-desk-aidFind your VRS Student Career Services Staff.

These are the five activities in Pre-Employment Transition Services.

Job Exploration Counseling

Job exploration counseling is intended to foster motivation, consideration of opportunities and informed decision-making. Job Exploration Counseling may include research, discussion or information on:

  • Vocational interests;
  • Skills verification;
  • The labor market;
  • In-demand industries and occupations;
  • Non-traditional employment options;
  • Identification of career pathways of interest to students;
  • Job shadowing;
  • Career mentorship;
  • Informational interviews; and
  • Workplace tours/field trips.

Career Planning and Job Search Resources

Resources for career planning and job search.

Work Based Learning

Work-based learning is an educational approach or instructional methodology that uses the workplace or real work to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will help them connect school experiences to real-life work activities and future career opportunities. Work-based learning experiences, may include:

  • Youth Apprenticeships (not including Pre-Apprenticeships or Registered Apprenticeships since these are focused on job skill development versus a mechanism for "career exploration")
  • Job Shadowing
  • Career Mentorship
  • Informational Interviews
  • Paid Work Based Learning Internships
  • Non-paid Work Based Learning Internships
  • Practicum
  • Service Learning
  • Student-led Enterprises
  • Paid Work Experience
  • Non-Paid Work Experience
  • Volunteering
  • Workplace Tours/Field Trips

Resources

Counseling on Postsecondary Education Options

Such counseling may include:

  • Advising students and parents or representatives on academic curricula;
  • Providing information about college application and admissions processes;
  • Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
  • Providing resources that may be used to support individual student success in education and training (i.e., disability support services).

Training and Education Resources

Training and Education Resources

Workplace Readiness Training

Workplace readiness traits describe a number of commonly expected skills that employers seek from most employees. Work readiness skills are a set of skills and behaviors that are necessary for most jobs. Work readiness skills are sometimes called soft skills, employability skills, or job readiness skills.

Workplace readiness training services may be offered on an individual basis or in a generalized manner in a classroom or other such group settings to provide programming to assist students with disabilities to develop social skills and independent living skills necessary to prepare for eventual employment.

These services could teach skills such as:

  • Communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Financial literacy, benefits planning;
  • Job-seeking skills;
  • Understanding employer expectations for punctuality and performance, as well as other "soft" skills necessary for employment;
  • Navigating transportation options; and
  • Utilizing assistive technology effectively

Resources

Instruction in Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy refers to an individual's ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his/her own interests and/or desires and to learn about self-determination. Self-determination means that individuals with disabilities have the freedom to plan their own lives, pursue the things that are important to them and to experience the same life opportunities as other people in their communities. It means taking the responsibility for communicating one's needs and desires in a straightforward manner to others.

Self-advocacy instruction can include:

  • Learning how to request accommodations, or services and supports;
  • Mentoring with educational staff such as principals, nurses, teachers, or office staff;
  • Learning about personal rights and responsibilities;
  • Peer mentoring from individuals with disabilities working in competitive integrated employment; and
  • Participating in youth leadership activities offered in educational or community settings.

The pre-employment transition services provided under the VR program are funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education with a state match. For federal fiscal year 2023, the total amount of federal grant funds used for these services $7,113,807.

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