Article
Housing Options
Planning for where young adults will live after leaving school is an essential part of the transition process.
Article
Understanding Pre-Employment Transition Services
Pre-ETS is a valuable program that provides essential pre-vocational skills that help students develop and hone self-awareness, and skills to prepare them for future employment and vocational programming. Let's explore how this program works.
What are Pre-Employment Transition Services?
Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) is a national vocational skill building program for eligible students ages 14-22. Depending on your state, services may begin between 14 and 16 years old. Vocational rehabilitation agencies and schools are required by law to provide transition services, including a “transition plan”, and Pre-ETS services provide support to improve transition outcomes of students with disabilities. They also offer skill building in the key areas that will support students in their transition to adult living. Pre-ETS is a valuable program that provides essential pre-vocational skills that help students develop and hone self-awareness, and prepare young adults for future employment and vocational programming, including further education, training and employment.
Why are Pre-ETS services important?
Parents and students should consider exploring Pre-ETS services as early as possible. They are designed to support students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school, to supplement activities in a student’s school and outside experiences. Pre-ETS services focus on supporting students to develop specific employment knowledge, skills, to explore career options, and to build confidence in their transition into adulthood, higher education, or employment.
Who is eligible?
Students aged 14-22 are eligible if they:
- Attend secondary or post-secondary school
- Have a disability that meets the regulatory definition in the Rehabilitation Act, such as an IEP, 504 Plan, or other documentation
- Are on an IEP or 504 Plan
How can you access Pre-ETS planning and programs?
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to set aside at least 15% of their federal funds to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.
Students who are blind or visually impaired should apply with their local Commission for the Blind. Pre-ETS services may then be requested by families and/or the student or recommended by your student’s vocational rehabilitation counselor, based on the student’s transition plans.
Transition tip
Each state has their own Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) office. Contact your local OVR office or the Director of Special Education in your school to learn if your child is eligible for Pre-ETS.
Good to know
Applications for Pre-ETS to Commissions for the Blind and Vocational Rehabilitation offices aren’t guaranteed approval, as funding can be limited. Skill-building programs and services may prioritize mobility, accessibility, and technology needs, as aligned with a student’s goals.
When does Pre-ETS take place?
Pre-ETS may take place during or after school, on weekends and during summer; they may take place in school or in the community. Each program differs, so speaking with your vocational rehabilitation office or school will help learn about your local model. Students may also be offered work experience opportunities to practice and generalize employment skills. These are typically provided in a small group setting with a Pre-ETS coach.
What does Pre-ETS teach?
Pre-ETS prepares students for future vocational opportunities including internships, volunteer work and competitive employment. The skills taught in PreETS programming may include:
1. Workplace Readiness
Students learn “soft skills” such as how to communicate on the job, how to initiate conversations related to work and how to ask for help. Problem-solving skills related to work are explored. Attendance and workplace etiquette are important curriculum topics.
2. Work Based Learning Experiences
Work-based learning experiences in a group setting may include participating in a school-based program of job training. Students may embark upon work-site tours to meet employers and learn about necessary job skills, job shadowing, or mentoring opportunities in the community. Exposure to diverse work environments broadens a student’s scope of awareness and helps them consider where they may fit in the world of work.
Good to know
Eligible students may get paid for work experiences with Pre-ETS.
3. Advocacy
Pre-ETS programming often focuses on developing a student’s self advocacy skills. Learning the skills of self-advocacy on the job include how to ask for help including accommodations, when to disclose one’s disability and why it may be important. Through Pre-ETS programming, students will learn to “ask for help” and how to advocate their own individual needs in the workplace, for more successful work experiences. Some students may learn to use checklists or have visual guides to learn how to communicate their needs related to accommodations in the workplace.
4. Job Exploration Counseling
Students will learn about the world of work, as well as different industries and settings. They will explore personal interests and identify areas they may wish to pursue employment, based on their strengths, interest and abilities. Students will also learn how to find and keep a job, and about the traits of a successful worker.
5. Counseling on Post-Secondary Opportunities
Students are taught about training programs and courses to take to prepare for the world of work. They also learn skills and training needed to do specific jobs successfully. Other opportunities may include visits to technical schools, non credit inclusive college settings, and other options that may meet your student’s post secondary, or transition goals. Students may be introduced to local vocational support centers including meeting staff from the local state vocational rehabilitation agency.
Perkins Pre-ETS Programs
Did you know? Perkins offers two programs for high school students that teach pre-employment and self-advocacy skills. These programs are open to students across the country.
PathFinder
PathFinder provides enrichment opportunities for high school students with goals of gaining meaningful employment after they graduate. The hybrid program covers a range of pre-employment related topics including job exploration, workplace tours and workplace readiness training. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of virtual group work, monthly 1:1 virtual conversations, and several in-person workplace explorations in the Boston area. Fully virtual options are available.
Compass
Compass is a nine-month virtual program for college-aspiring high school students with visual impairment – designed to help students explore and develop a plan for building the critical academic and blindness skills they need to reach their post-secondary goals.
Through group work and individual coaching for the student and their educational team – including their family members and TVIs – Compass works to fill the often-overlooked gaps in college and career preparation.
Resources
- US Department of Education’s list of contact information for the 78 State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies across the country
- What Is Vocational Rehabilitation? (Massachusetts)
- National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: Pre-Employment Transition Services
- A nice article from Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation services about Pre-ETS. Widely applicable, not just for Mississippi.
- Best Buddies Jobs Program
Ready for more? Read this.
Stay in the conversation about post-secondary transition.
Our experts are changing the way people think about preparing students with disabilities for their post-secondary journeys – in college, career and the community. Stay up to date about the latest insight, research and resources.
