Section 133.3 - Vocational Training - Assessment

Purpose

Work Assessment identifies the participant's attributes, interests, and barriers that will potentially impact on development and attainment of employment goals. At present the Work Assessment is accomplished through several methods. The possible combination of these methods is individualized for each participant and is formulated at the intake interview stage.

Methods presently used include:

1. Standardized Vocational Assessments (Fee for Service) which may include:
   1. Manual work samples;
   2. Computerized assessment - non-academic;
   3. Computerized assessment - academic;
   4. Computerized assessment interest tests; and
   5. Paper and pencil surveys focusing on vocational interests.
2. Work Site Assessments
   
   The Work Site Assessment involves placing the participant in any employment setting that matches the vocational interests of the participant and/or placement at an agency doing work-related activities. The objectives of the Work Site Assessments are to:
   1. Observe the participant at a variety of on-site work related activities to
      determine potential employability.
   2. Identify strengths and vocational areas that require improvement to choose and get competitive employment such as:
      • production and quality of work output;
      • response to instructions;
      • response to constructive feedback;
      • compliance with safety rules;
      • relationships with co-workers/supervisors;
      • mobility and travel skills related to work;
      • attendance;
      • punctuality;
      • endurance;
      • personal appearance or public image; and
      • use of money in the work environment.
   3. Obtain evaluation reports from the supervisor and/or employer as to the skill level and work habits of the participant, as well as input from the participant regarding continued interest/suitability for this type of employment.

 

Process

Standardized vocational assessments are based on fee structures. Work Site Assessments are a maximum of four weeks in duration (or equivalent for part-time). Evaluation and Work Training Centres generally administer both. Since the primary objective of a work site assessment is to assess the participant's strengths or limitations in relation to a realistic work environment, work assessments are not viewed as being job or occupation specific. Therefore, once a work assessment is completed and a non-paying, occupation-specific work experience is determined to be the next step in the vocational process, work training should be utilized.

Evaluation and Work Training Centres are required to provide a written evaluation report upon completion of the work assessment period.

Those participating in authorized work assessments are covered under Section 10 of Regulation #545/88R under The Workers Compensation Act. This regulation provides for a participant to be covered under the Act provided the participant has applied and been approved by Manitoba Family Services and Consumer Affairs in a training program.

Where a second or subsequent work assessment is required which goes beyond four weeks the following should apply:

• Requests for extensions beyond four weeks must be made on a case-by-case basis and will normally be approved in situations where the participant missed some time with just cause, or a breakdown occurred at the work assessment site, or for other reasons beyond the participant's control.

 

Additional Assessments

A second four-week assessment may be considered in situations where there has been a significant change in the disabling condition and will usually be more than six months since the first or previous assessment.

 

Failure to Start Assessment

When an Evaluation and Work Training Centre completes assessments on a per diem basis they may invoice for up to five (5) assessment days if the Vocational Counsellor refers a participant who has been approved for funding and the participant fails to show up on the established start date.

 

Report Writing

When assessment days have been requested for work site assessments, three (3) days may be claimed for report preparation. This applies only for per diem funded assessments.

 

Standards

The following standards apply to the work assessment process conducted by Evaluation and Work Training Centres:

1. The work assessment is arranged with an Evaluation and Work Training Centre or an employer by the Vocational Counsellor. If any costs are involved, approval is required.
2. The employer is informed by the Vocational Counsellor or the Evaluation and Work Training Centre about expectations, commitments, financial compensation, reporting requirements, workers compensation, insurance and risk liability, and participant characteristics.
3. The Vocational Counsellor obtains written assessment reports from the Evaluation and Work Training Centre.
4. The maximum length of work assessment is limited to the equivalent of four weeks (e.g. 120 hours) regardless of whether it is full-time or part-time or combination of both.
5. An extension will be approved only when it is supported by adequate justification with clearly defined outcomes for the extended assessment period.

 

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