Vocational Training
Vocational Training Services
Imagine being intellectually or developmentally disabled and having to negotiate your adult years when you can’t hide your disability. It’s the reality for some people. You want to feel valued and become independent, but you can’t do it on your own. Skills of Central PA offers the helping hand you need.
For individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities or recovering from mental health challenges, finding and securing a job means more than a paycheck. It’s vital for one’s independence, personal growth, and self-esteem. It’s a way to participate in society and feel purposeful.
Studies also show that men and women with disabilities who complete vocational training are projected to make up to 45% more each year than those who don’t use this beneficial service. Skills specializes in vocational training for adults across central Pennsylvania.
Our goal is to help individuals with disabilities with:
- Community-based activities and events
- Employment preparation
- Self-advocacy, health, and wellness training
- Social, mobility, and awareness training
- Transitions from school to work
- Volunteer opportunities
The Pillars of Vocational Training
Vocational training is more than learning how to do the tasks required for the job. It’s a holistic program that focuses on finding the right position, job readiness, and long-term retention in that position.
Skills of Central PA’s vocational training program prepares individuals with the skills needed to work or volunteer within the community, along with the daily living tasks related to the job, such as arranging rides and taking care of their health and wellness. Every approach is targeted to the individual.
Before you can land a job, you need to have relevant skills. Even a position with on-the-job training requires some real-world experience, such as answering phones, lifting boxes, or using a computer to complete basic tasks.
Skills works with individuals to identify their strengths, improve their cognitive and physical abilities, and find jobs that suit those strengths. They also help with key aspects of job searches and applications, such as building a resume and preparing for job interviews.
Community Integration: Community-Based Activities and Events and Volunteer Opportunities
Whether a person is volunteering for a community organization or working for a local business, social interactions are essential. Individuals need to be able to interact with other people. It can take practice to feel comfortable.
The team at Skills helps individuals develop and practice appropriate social skills. Practice sessions help clients learn appropriate responses until they’re comfortable with interactions at jobs, volunteer opportunities, or local events.
Daily Readiness: Social, Mobility, and Awareness Training
A critical factor in maintaining a job is knowing how to navigate your surroundings. Our vocational program equips individuals with the training to recognize their needs and ensure others understand and respect them.
Our professionals help individuals learn how and when to request special accommodations. The Skills team works on conflict resolution to help individuals resolve issues that arise in the workplace or with a volunteer organization. Individuals also build the skills needed to get to and from work on time by arranging rides or using public transportation.
Personal Advocacy: Self-Advocacy, Health, and Wellness Training
It’s hard to hold a job that makes you feel empowered if you can’t advocate for your needs. Our vocational program helps individuals learn how to say what they need or feel in a calm, rational way.
Health and wellness are also important and a big part of the training. Taking care of nutritional needs, keeping up with medical appointments, taking medications on time, and doing the things that are needed to ensure positive mental and emotional health.
School to Adulthood: Transition Services
Moving out of the familiarity of school into adulthood is a struggle for anyone. Young adults with disabilities usually thrive on routine and structure, and the sudden transition is alarming.
Our specialized transition services begin as early as possible to ensure a seamless process. We bridge the gap by exploring possible vocations while still in school, setting career goals, and providing exposure through shadowing and volunteer opportunities.
How Our Vocational Training Program Works
At Skills of Central PA, we provide person-centric vocational training programs that take a person’s specific strengths and turn them into active careers. We build the plan following a step-by-step program. This ensures the best possible matches.
Skills Assessment
Before we help our clients apply for a position, it’s important to understand their strengths. An assessment of their skills, interests, and work methods comes first. It helps us narrow down possible career and volunteer positions to ensure both the client and the employer or organization are a good fit.
Shadowing programs also help narrow down potential employment fields. On paper, a job in an office may sound great, but the individual may find desk work feels too confining. The mailroom and deliveries are a better match. Shadowing provides real-world experience and insight that help the individual determine how best to use their skills.
Pre-Employment
Once a person has chosen a potential career field, securing a job is the next step. Skills staff help with:
- Cover Letters and Resumes: Create clear, professional cover letters and resumes to send out to potential employers.
- Interview Coaching: Conduct mock interviews to help individuals know what to expect and avoid the anxiety that comes with a new situation.
- Job Readiness: Learn how to manage time, act appropriately in the workplace, and understand body language. It also helps teach active listening and conflict resolution.
Once the resume is ready, Skills’ employment specialists help individuals scour job listings to find appropriate positions. They prioritize positions that provide fair wages and safe workplaces. The specialists also coach through completing online applications and scheduling interviews.
On-the-Job Training
Support continues when a job offer comes in. For the first few weeks of the new job, a job coach works closely with the individual to help them learn the required work routine, understand and adjust to the workplace culture, and communicate with management and coworkers.
Long-Term Follow-Up
As the worker becomes independent, job coaching ends, but there are still opportunities for retraining and follow-up. If the worker is advancing in the career or new management enters the business, the worker retains much-needed support to help them through the adjustment period.
We Help You Find Purpose
Skills of Central PA provides vocational training in four counties. Reach our offices in Blair, Centre, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties. We’re ready to help you find opportunities that make you feel like a vital part of the community while also promoting independence and empowerment. Contact your local office today to learn more!
Services are available in the following counties:
Blair County
Centre County
Huntingdon County
Mifflin County