Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Operating Manual
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Section 133.3 - Vocational Training - Assessment
Purpose
Assessments are generally provided by four Employment and Training Centres. See Appendix V for information on these centres.
The purpose of Vocational Training - Assessment is to identify the participant's aptitudes, interests, and barriers that will potentially impact on the development and attainment of employment goals.
Assessments (as provided by Employment and Training Centres)
This service includes:
- All forms of assessments from basic occupational interest testing to community based work assessments/unpaid work experiences which may extend up to a maximum of one month (160 hours) on site within a three month period of service provision.
- Work experiences used for verifying a vocational plan.
- Job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Assessments should result in information for further Vocational Planning. Although employment outcomes may result it is not the primary intent or immediate expectation.
If an assessment is required as part of Employment Services, there is no need to request or approve assessment separately.
If an assessment is the only service requested but, on completion, both the Vocational Counsellor and Employment and Training Centre determine that further services are required; Employment Services may be requested (see Section 133.4 - Vocational Training - Employment Services).
Process
Assessments are accomplished through several methods. The possible combination of these methods is individualized for each participant and is formulated through a planning process involving the participant, the Employment and Training Centre, and the Vocational Counsellor.
Employment and Training Centres are required to provide a written evaluation report upon completion of an assessment.
Where a subsequent assessment is required the following should apply:
Requests for extensions beyond three months must be made on a case-by-case basis and will normally be approved in situations such as:
- a suitable work site was not found in time for the work experience to be completed
- where the participant missed some time with just cause
- the work site was not able to fully accommodate the assessment
- reasons beyond the participant's control (for example, a significant change in the disabling condition)
- more than six months has passed since the last assessment
Standards
The following standards apply to the assessment process conducted by an Employment and Training Centre:
- Assessments are arranged by a Vocational Counsellor in collaboration with the participant, the Employment and Training Centre; and, in the case of a community based assessment, an employer.
- Necessary approvals are obtained by the Vocational Counsellor prior to the start of Assessment Services being provided.
- The employer is informed by the Vocational Counsellor or the Employment and Training Centre about expectations, commitments, financial compensation, reporting requirements, workers compensation, insurance and risk liability, and participant characteristics.
- The Vocational Counsellor obtains written assessment reports from the Employment and Training Centre.
- The maximum length of an unpaid work experience for purposes of an assessment is 160 hours within a three month time frame regardless of whether it is full-time, part-time, or a combination of both.
- An extension will be approved only when it is supported by adequate justification with clearly defined outcomes for the extended assessment period.