Think back on your very first job, did you feel like you had the work readiness skills to jump in and be successful? Remember what it felt like, exciting…scary… Pre vocational skills for students with disabilities, whether it’s neurodiverse or physical, isn’t just about picking up skills that will allow them to work, it’s also smashing through barriers. It’s about creating new possibilities and maximizing their strengths.
How amazing would it be if we could give EVERY teen with disabilities the confidence and basic skills to step into the workforce.
The Gap
Right now, there is a big gap between expectations of employers and what work readiness skills students actually have. Employers are saying that teens in general do not have the skills they need to get and keep jobs. On the other hand, many teens, including those with disabilities, are confident that they have what it takes to work. Sadly, unemployment rates continue to be high among those with disabilities, especially young people with disabilities.
So, what exactly are employers looking for as far as work skills go?
Here are some work readiness skills examples that employers would like to see when they hire teens and young adults. These skills are vital for teens and young adults with disabilities to learn and use because they will benefit them in other areas of their life too. For further considerations check-out “Employment Considerations for Youth With Disabilities.”
- Self-Advocacy
It’s a big deal, imagine you couldn’t speak up for yourself, express your needs, ask for help, or communicate your thoughts to your boss or coworkers. It would be horrible, you wouldn’t want to work. This is maybe the MOST important work readiness skill teens with special needs. They need to be able to explain their strengths, weaknesses, goals, and accommodations. Getting a job down isn’t the only goal, but thriving and empowering teens in the workplace. This also leads to a high quality of work. See “Self-Advocacy Skill Building for Teens” for more ideas.
- Emotional Intelligence
This is not talked about enough! Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a KEY skill. EQ is understanding and managing your own emotions, being able to “read the room”, and then respond appropriately. Having a good grasp on EQ leads to better communication, relationships, problem solving/conflict resolution and overall work quality. It’s like a secret superpower that will help youth thrive in all areas of life.
- Communication
Talking, listening, reading body language, writing, other types of communication depending on an individual’s disability are all communication. Youth need a toolbox of strategies and technology in order to express ideas, advocate, ask for help, listen to others, etc. Communication also helps build relationships, and trust. It helps avoid confusion among the employee, employer and other staff members. This is a huge area that I could talk at length about.
- Problem Solving
Have you ever experienced a day when a challenge hasn’t come up? The perfect day? HA! Me either. Employers love good problem solvers because it shows you can handle unexpected situations and think on your feet. Employers love employees that can think of creative solutions. Teens with disabilities don’t get enough credit as problem-solvers. While they need extra support in building their skill in this area, they have also had to learn to be adaptable in a world that is’t tailored to them. Helping youth with disabilities see challenges as opportunities can help them build confidence, resilience, and adaptability in work readiness.
- Workplace Norms
Showing up on time, appropriately dressed, and ready to work is super important, and often overlooked. Teen and young adults NEED to know what their expectations are according to the job they are performing. This also includes interactions with your boss and coworkers in meetings, through email, and even outside of work. Following through with workplace norms will help give youth a confidence boost. It also teaches professionalism, and create an inclusive environment.
- Career Development
I feel like this is really another word for “growth mindset,” career development isn’t just about finding a long term job, but planning for the future and growth in a chosen career. Teens with disabilities need opportunities to work or experience career paths they’re interested in, whether that’s volunteering, apprenticeships, internships, et. They need awareness of their strengths and weaknesses, and support in growing their strengths. They need to understand what they are doing right, and where they could improve in a way that is positive and encouraging. Helping them identify strengths, set goals, and celebrate wins will help them stay motivated.
- Health and Safety
This might not be an area of work readiness skill that immediately comes to mind either, but is essential in preparing teens and young adults to go into the workforce. One of my brilliant coworkers often says, “if you’re not healthy you cannot work.” If you feel good, you’ll perform better at work. It’s also important that they understand health and safety protocols. What to do if something goes wrong or advocate for accommodations they might need may be what keeps them or others from an accident. This will help youth be more proactive, along with feeling more confident and secure in the work they are doing. These teens talk about their ups and downs with safety in their workplace.
- Financial Literacy
It’s crucial that young people with disabilities set themselves up for financial success and make sure they’re money works for them. We work to fund our life, both the needs and wants. Helping our youth gain these skills and prepare for long term needs giving them more independence. Along with future planning, they need to understand day-to-day expenses too. Setting them us for success both long and short term will help them to avoid financial stress. Which leads to better health, work performance and overall better quality of life. To get started TD Bank offers 5 free financial literacy lessons for students with special needs.
As parents sometimes it’s so hard to know what to do or where to go or how to plan when you’ve never faced this before. Things like job shadowing, apprenticeships, work experiences, internships, job coaches etc. can help teens experience the job and see what skills are needed. With support they can learn what they need before deciding what they would like to do and what is realistic. In most instances employers expect that hirees already possess the skills needed to do the job. Hands-on experiences could help a student or young adult bridge that gap between expectations and reality.
Final Thoughts
There are so many important skills that are vital to individuals with disabilities in navigating the workplace. They are necessary for individuals to become exceptional employees. However, soft skills continue to out rank technical skills in what employers are looking for. Employees need good basic reading, writing, and math skills, along with being able to solve problems. Pre vocational readiness isn’t just about learning to work, but breaking barriers and maximizing their strengths. I’m here to help you in dedicating the time to teaching teens and young adults with disabilities these skills. As well as, to help guide you in finding opportunities like job shadowing, and practical experiences that close the gap between employer expectations and the work readiness skills youth with disabilities actually have.
