Employment Specialists

ANCOR Position Statement: Employment Specialists

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.