JOB TRIALS

A Job Trial (sometimes called a Work Trial) is a pre-vocational step that is often used when there is doubt about the appropriateness of a job goal or the client’s ability to cope with certain job demands. CareerQuest’s Employment Specialist/Job Coach will secure a Job Trial with a local employer to match the client’s job goal. Job Trials usually run for 1 to 4 weeks and flexible work schedules are available to accommodate the needs of individual clients. Job Trials are generally paired with on-site job coaching; this allows us to provide necessary supports and conduct close observation of the client’s abilities in areas such as job task performance, productivity, workplace integration, work tolerance, etc. The amount of job coaching required varies depending of the functional abilities of the client.

The benefits of Work Trials include:

  • Providing an opportunity to evaluate the suitability of a particular job goal or employer
  • Helping to evaluate the client’s employability
  • Identifying issues related to job task performance, productivity, work tolerance, social interaction, etc., that should be addressed prior to attempting paid employment
  • Increasing a client’s confidence and willingness to engage in longer-term work placements or paid employment

At the conclusion of the Job Trial, a comprehensive report is provided detailing observations made during the experience, employer feedback, and recommendations for subsequent vocational steps.