VOCATIONAL TRAINING & LIFE SKILLS
Work-based experiences are your key to having a successful school-to-work transition. Career exploration includes the following: job shadowing, internships, unpaid volunteer experiences and paid employment.
There can be a job for everyone who wants one – regardless of the nature of disability, need for workplace accommodation or economic conditions in the community. In addition, effective job development is highly individualized and person-centered, based on youth skills, interests and need for support. Aspirations, skills and positive attributes of the job seeker must match the needs, expectations and workplace culture of the employer.
To help prepare for the work world, do the following: get to know the business community by researching and networking with employers; create an individualized job search plan; and enroll in a vocational program.
For more information, head over to our section on Employment.
“Greet all people with a smile.”
Local Resources
The ARC Palm Beach County Career Transitions Program is for individuals who are 18 years and older with developmental disabilities who are assisted on their path to independence and inclusion through lessons that are designed to help them manage skills related to daily living, personal/social involvement and occupational activities. The program provides a hands-on learning atmosphere that consist of classes that focus on health, self-advocacy, financial management, social skills, art and employment.
Best Buddies Florida Jobs Individuals with intellectual disabilities who are seeking employment. A unique service that can bring qualified and skilled employees to your workforce.
Career Source Palm Beach County Provides job placement, recruitment assistance and funds for skills training.
Coalition for Independent Living helps you or your child learn all sorts of skills to help them thrive at work and in society. Instruction ranges from learning to budget, write a resume, look for a job, how to interview, how to cook, do the laundry, feel safe using public transit and for peer support.
Easter Seals STRIVE in Hospitality Program assists individuals with disabilities or other special needs who have a desire to become employed in Palm Beach County’s largest industry—Hospitality and Tourism.
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Youth Services help students with disabilities train for a job, continue their education or find a job after high school. Under this program, every youth will have the opportunity to participate in sponsored career counseling, work readiness training and fully-integrated work experiences in the community. These services are delivered while youth are still in high school and establish the foundation for a seamless transition to individualized training, education, and employment.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Inc. Youth enrichment services for youth ages 16-22. Vocational rehabilitation centers offering assessments, case management, tutoring, employment search strategies and more.
HABCENTER Empowering people with disabilities through work training, education, and recreation. Boca Raton.
ican I can is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to finding employment for individuals with disabilities in Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach County.
JARC, Jewish Association for Residential Care. In the near future, they will be having a transition program for ages 16-22, funded through Vocational Rehabilitation, that will be pre-employment training.
Ready Set Work! Helping young adults with varied abilities and challenges develop pre-employment readiness skills to achieve and maintain successful employment.
Seagull Achievement Center of the Palm Beaches Workforce development and employment services for the disabled.
Stand Among Friends: Stand Among Friends’ Employment Program helps people with disabilities prepare for and find a job they desire.
United Community Options Transitional Learning Academy is a private school specifically designed to serve transitioning exceptional education students. The curriculum is individualized for each student with a focus on functional areas that will maximize the student’s independence as an adult. The goal is a successful transition with an appropriate combination of supports and services to maximize the student’s quality of life and independence. The school serves students ages 14-22.
