Vocational evaluation is an important part of many of the ESCA programs. It provides information on a person’s vocational interests, strengths, and weaknesses. The vocational evaluation can be used in career planning by guiding him/her to appropriate career and educational fields.
A specially trained vocational expert gathers information via interviews, vocational testing, work sample testing, records review, and work and transferable skills analysis. This information is then used to guide an individual toward (or away from) specific jobs, and/or vocational or educational training areas. Vocational strengths as well as barriers to employment are identified.
The evaluation department uses interviews and a variety of standardized vocational tests to assess vocational and academic skills, aptitudes, and interests. Benefits of the program include:
- Gaining practical information for use in guiding persons toward appropriate career and educational fields
- Saving time and money by increasing accuracy in job placement, vocational or academic training
- Providing a useful counseling tool
- Motivating participants to learn more about things they CAN do rather than what they cannot do, and sometimes they discover new talents and interests
Referrals may come from individuals seeking assistance in making vocational or educational decisions or from parents or teachers of a student. Also agencies such as the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services seeking vocational guidance for a person with a disability, courts, insurance companies and/or attorneys needing vocational information useful in Workman’s Compensation claims, Social Security determinations, personal injury or potential loss of income claims, and even divorce settlements (alimony, child support) may refer persons for evaluation.
Evaluation results are reported via formal written report, counseling with the individual and/or family or referral source, and if necessary through court testimony.
The Easter Seals Central Alabama Vocational Evaluation Specialist has over 20 years of experience providing vocational evaluation, career counseling, and consulting services to individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies.
For additional information contact:
Melanie Bush, Chief Evaluator
2125 E. South Boulevard
Montgomery, Alabama 36116
(334) 288-0240 Ext. 263
Here are some examples of how we have helped our consumers:
“After I completed my evaluation, I received further education and training and now I am employed again, love my job, and am even making more money…”
“My evaluation was helpful in that it revealed paths that would have not been considered or thought of if this evaluation had not been performed.”
“It gave me some ideas of what I might be able to do for a career in the future.”
“The evaluation process helped me to begin to see new options and opportunities where I could use some of the skills that I already had in new and different areas.”
