As the job market continues to evolve, high-growth professions are creating new opportunities for job seekers. For people with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals play a key role in ensuring they can access quality employment in fields that offer stability, accessibility, and career advancement.
Top Ten Fast-Growing Occupations
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the following ten occupations are projected to grow the fastest between 2023 and 2033. This article explores how VR services - including job training, assistive technology, and employer partnerships - help people with disabilities enter and succeed in these careers.
1. Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Projected Growth: 60%
- Median Pay: $61,770 per year
- How VR Can Help: While this field involves physical tasks, VR professionals can connect job seekers with training, adaptive tools, and workplace accommodations.
2. Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Projected Growth: 48%
- Median Pay: $48,800 per year
- How VR Can Help: VR professionals can support people in technical training and alternative roles, such as remote monitoring and project planning, for those who may not be able to perform fieldwork.
3. Nurse Practitioners
- Projected Growth: 46%
- Median Pay: $120,680 per year
- How VR Can Help: Healthcare careers offer many pathways. VR professionals can assist individuals in securing assistive technology, flexible scheduling, and telehealth roles.
4. Data Scientists
- Projected Growth: 36%
- Median Pay: $113,740 per year
- How VR Can Help: With strong demand for analytical skills, VR professionals can connect clients to training in data analytics and software development while leveraging assistive technology.
5. Information Security Analysts
- Projected Growth: 32%
- Median Pay: $112,000 per year
- How VR Can Help: Cybersecurity roles are highly flexible, with many allowing remote work. VR programs can help job seekers with disabilities develop the technical skills and certifications needed for success.
6. Physician Assistants
- Projected Growth: 28%
- Median Pay: $126,010 per year
- How VR Can Help: VR can support individuals with disabilities in entering healthcare fields through training, accommodations in clinical settings, and career coaching.
7. Medical and Health Services Managers
- Projected Growth: 28%
- Median Pay: $110,680 per year
- How VR Can Help: This leadership role is well-suited for those with strong organizational skills. VR services can provide training, workplace accommodations, and mentorship opportunities.
8. Operations Research Analysts
- Projected Growth: 25%
- Median Pay: $95,290 per year
- How VR Can Help: This career path is a great fit for individuals who excel in problem-solving. VR professionals can assist with learning tools, workplace accommodations, and telework options.
9. Physical Therapist Assistants
- Projected Growth: 25%
- Median Pay: $61,180 per year
- How VR Can Help: VR professionals can provide hands-on training opportunities and modifications to support success.
10. Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Projected Growth: 23%
- Median Pay: $142,650 per year
- How VR Can Help: Tech companies increasingly recognize the value of hiring individuals with disabilities. VR professionals can facilitate training in coding, software development, and research roles that accommodate various needs.
Vocational Rehabilitation’s Essential Role in Success
Vocational rehabilitation professionals play an essential role in helping job seekers with disabilities navigate these growing fields. VR professionals can support success by:
- Providing job training and skill development tailored to industry needs.
- Connecting individuals to assistive technology that enhances workplace success.
- Building employer partnerships that promote hiring and retention of workers with disabilities.
- Supporting job seekers through career coaching and placement assistance.
Final Thoughts
The rise of these fast-growing careers presents an opportunity for VR professionals to champion quality employment and ensure that individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful, sustainable careers. By leveraging training programs, accommodations, and advocacy, VR professionals can help close the employment gap and empower job seekers with disabilities to thrive in today’s workforce.
Continue Learning
Use the resources below to continue learning about career counseling and career pathways.
On-Demand Training
- Career Pathways Overview - TACQE U
Learn the integrated pathway model and six key elements of career pathways, as well as review essential components of comprehensive career and technical education.
- Career Counseling 101: Best Practices – TACQE U
Learn how to help clients navigate labor market information and apply effective career counseling tools to foster informed choices.
- Career Development and Quality Employment in Vocational Rehabilitation
Review the three core components of career development and learn about the Illinois Work and Well-Being Model.
Resources
- Career Pathways: Key Elements and Essential Components
Discover a groundbreaking framework for developing and implementing Career Pathways systems, including 6 key elements of development and implementation
- Career Pathways Toolkit
Explore the advantages of implementing Career Pathways, facilitation tools for VR agencies and their staff, and collaboration with external.
- Transferable Skills Analysis: Using Past Skills to Inform Future Opportunities
Review the key elements of transferable skills analyses to improve quality employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities.