ANCOR believes that Employment Specialists (also
known as Job Developers, Job Coaches, and/or Vocational Trainers) are key to
individuals with disabilities succeeding in their chosen employment. Employment
Specialists should posses a variety of skills and qualities - both learned and
innate - to assist the individual(s) they support in training for, obtaining,
and retaining employment. While the needed skill sets and qualifications may
vary according to state, provider agency, and individual(s) supported, ANCOR
believes that qualified Employment Specialists should posses the following:
Personal qualities including, but not limited to, self-confidence,
energy, imagination, flexibility, and self-motivation;
Formal education and training including, at minimum, a high
school diploma or equivalent;
Informal training or experiences that lead to skill development
and/or enhanced understanding of the services and supports necessary and available
for the employment of individuals with disabilities;
Respect for the individual(s) to whom services and supports
are provided; and,
Desire to assist individuals in reaching their employment
goals.
Essential to the provision of such services and supports are:
Appropriate wages and benefits to encourage the recruitment
and retention of qualified Employment Specialists;
Appropriate training to promote skill development in the performance
of duties; and
Funding mechanisms that support appropriate wages, benefits,
training, administration and stability in employment programs.
