Vocational Education Program (VEP)

Purpose: To adequately prepare students with disabilities for the MTC work environment and match the student's interest and abilities with a potential training program.

Description: Students with disabilities will participate for 1-2, half-days at MTC for a vocational evaluation. The evaluation will occur in up to 3 technical programs of his/her choice. Selection of work sample areas will occur with the assistance of their high school case manager after extensive career exploration as evidenced by transition portfolio documentation. Work samples will be hands-on and in the actual work areas of MTC to maximize students’ understanding of the work sites and expectations. After the evaluation the evaluator will generate a vocational report that will document the students’ strengths, weaknesses, interest and areas of needed improvement in both the stated vocational domain and general work behaviors. The evaluator will also make recommendations based on the information gathered. The report produced will be provided to the school and the student. Students will participate in the vocational assessment during the year prior to their proposed enrollment at MTC. The VEP Program will include a systematic process for student referral, evaluation and documentation. Goals:

• Allow students to explore vocational options prior to choosing a program

• Assess students’ strengths and weaknesses in chosen programs to promote successful placements

• Determine areas of academic weakness for students to work on prior to placement

• Assist teachers and instructors by providing a written document of the vocational evaluation for documentation and reference

• Increase communication between high schools and MTC

Benefits

• Increase appropriate placement in MTC programs

• Increase student motivation and appropriate work behaviors

• Increased student satisfaction due to greater opportunity for success in training program

• Vocational evaluation report to assist high schools with placements

• Documentation of work behaviors, strengths and weaknesses

• Awareness of academic skills needed for students to succeed in vocational areas

• Documentation assists with career exploration and transition planning

• Students are more likely to be successful in MTC programs leading to more gainful employment

• Introduction to MTC and work environment lets them participate in “trial run” of MTC

• Hands-on assessment promotes benefits of MTC and work programs:

For further information:

VEP information: https://sites.google.com/rockingham.k12.va.us/vep-information/home

VEP Referral Form: https://forms.gle/2FQVG9MFJKGomkGP8