Vocational Skills
Ensuring Success On Every Shift
Work Readiness Assessments
Job Candidates will work with a Vocational Assessment Specialist who’ll evaluate their skills and needs compared to those of a competitive worker. These assessments will happen in a real-world setting at a business that matches the kind of work they’re interested in. Job Candidates will receive a training wage while on the job for their Work Readiness Assessment. After the Work Readiness Assessment, the Vocational Assessment Specialist will put together a report with their observations and recommendations. They’ll let the Job Candidate know how well they’re suited for the job and suggest any extra support they might need to succeed.
Job Shadows
Our Vocational Assessment Specialist will help Job Candidates connect with businesses in the community to set up and participate in Job Shadows. These are opportunities for Job Candidates to shadow at employers or occupations that interest them, gaining valuable insights into those fields. By participating in Job Shadows, Job Candidates can make informed decisions about their career goals and create a well-rounded employment plan. After completing the Job Shadows, our Vocational Assessment Specialist will compile a report summarizing the findings.
Career Exploration
Job Candidates will team up with our Vocational Assessment Specialist to dig into the job market, find out what skills are in demand, and explore different career paths in their area of interest. The Specialist will use all this information to help to identify occupations and training programs that match the Job Candidate’s interests, skills, and goals.
Our Impact
Des Moines area business locations have Goodwill Program Participants on staff.
Unique individuals received Goodwill Supported Employment Services in 2023.
of Goodwill participants placed in employment retain their new job for over 90 days.
Qualifications for Supported Employment Participants
- Candidates must be at least 18 years old with a diagnosed intellectual disability or mental illness or perceived barrier to employment.
- Candidates must be able to perform activities of daily living without full-time oversight and not harmful to self or others.
- Candidates must be able to benefit from the program and have funding for the program (unless covered by grant).
- Candidates must have two forms of ID (ability to work/I9).
- Candidates must have transportation to and from programming and future employment (self or case manager arranged).
