A Quick Look
This study was conducted to see if there was a difference in competitive employment outcomes for individuals with serious psychiatric disabilities who received on-the-job training (OJT) “place and train” services compared to traditional “train and place” services.
59.3% of participants who received on-the-job training services reached a successful employment outcome.
Key Findings
- Participants who received "place and train" services were much more likely to find competitive employment than those who received "train and place" services.
- Results showed 59.3% of participants who received OJT services reached a successful employment outcome.
- Only 15.4% of those who did not receive OJT services obtained competitive, integrated employment.
- Participants who did not receive OJT services had much lower employment outcomes than the agency's average of 49%.
- Of participants who did not receive OJT services, 38.5% earned credentials, however, only 30% were successfully employed at the end of the study.
- Gender, race, and age were not significant predictors of employment outcome.
- Intake education level was a significant predictor of successful competitive employment outcomes.
- Cost of training was found to be nonsignificant, meaning training dollars spent were not a predictor of competitive employment outcome for cases selected.
Putting It Into Practice
- Providing OJT services along with IPS principles can be beneficial for people with serious mental illness and psychiatric disabilities.
- Offering OJT services to clients with significant psychiatric disabilities can significantly increase their chances of finding competitive, integrated employment.
- IPS supported employment model can be applied in the State VR system by way of OJT services and be an effective service for individuals with serious mental illness.
- OJT has been significantly underutilized and unresearched in relation to employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Learn More
- On-the-job training (OJT) pays the employer for initial training costs of an employee with a disability based on a contract.
- OJT aligns with the IPS Model principles: place and train, rapid-job search, client choice, competitive work, disclosure (of a person with a disability), and follow along support.
Source
Peterson, S., Alkhadim, G. S., Davis, M., & Olney, M. (2021). Increasing successful employment outcomes for individuals with psychiatric disabilities with on-the-job training, 29(1), 21-36, The Rehabilitation Professional, DOI: No DOI.
Contact a Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment expert at: contact@tacqe.com