Serving Employers since 1976
What we can do for you?
Washington Vocational Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to fulfilling the staffing needs of employers in our community by connecting them to qualified, pre-screened candidates seeking supported employment. We also offer employers the following when you hire our candidates, at no cost:
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Job Task Analysis
This tool allows us to analyze job tasks in your workplace that can be rolled into custom positions for our job seekers. Pre-Screened Applicants All our job seekers undergo Washington State Patrol background checks and are assessed by our staff to ensure they are an optimal match to your business. Disability Awareness & Etiquette Training Our agency offers training to employers to educate their staff in awareness and proper etiquette when working with individuals with disabilities. ADA Assessments & Consulting We can assist you in developing ADA-compliant accommodations for your staff and assessing your workplace for ADA-compliant structures. |
Job Restructuring/Customized Employment
Our agency assists you in developing customized positions that meet the unique needs of your business. Job Retention/Intensive Training Support Our job coaches are here to ensure our job seekers are properly trained and oriented to the position you have hired them for. Working Interviews A working interview allows you to directly observe how our job seekers perform on-the-job with the support of their job coaches Safety Assessments Our staff are specially trained to provide safety assessments of your workplace to help you reduce your risk for L&I claims. |
Supported Employment
Supported employment is a practice that enables individuals with disabilities to obtain gainful, customized employment with long-term, on-the-job support provided by agencies such as Washington Vocational Services in the form of “job coaching.”
What is a Job Coach?
Job coaches act as facilitators between employers and job seekers with disabilities. Here’s what you can count on from a job coach:
- Consistent communication. We are here to listen to your concerns and will work hard to ensure you are satisfied with our job seekers.
- Assistance in developing accommodations for our job seekers
- Provide one-on-one support to ensure our job seekers are performing their tasks to the standard you desire.
- Perform safety assessments and ADA assessments to help you reduce L&I risks.
- We provide these services at absolutely no cost to employers. Our services come already paid for by the state when you choose to work with us.
Why choose our candidates?
We only match employers with qualified candidates that will meet your needs, saving you time and resources. Our staff care about your needs because we care about retention and the success of our community - which includes you. We believe in our mission, but we know that the benefits of supported employment speak for themselves:
High retention rates
Companies report that employees with disabilities have better retention rates, reducing the high cost of staff turnover, a 2002 study found. Other surveys reveal that after one year of employment, the retention rate of persons with disabilities is 85%.
Low absenteeism
A DuPont Corporation study found that 85% of its employees with disabilities rated average or above on attendance.
Excellent job performance
Statistics from 2001 Statistics Canada survey demonstrate 90% of people with disabilities did as well or better at their jobs than non-disabled co-workers.
Attract customers
In 2005, a U.S. National Survey of consumer attitudes towards companies that hire people with disabilities found that 92% of the American public viewed these companies more favorably. Eighty-seven percent said they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire people with disabilities.
High retention rates
Companies report that employees with disabilities have better retention rates, reducing the high cost of staff turnover, a 2002 study found. Other surveys reveal that after one year of employment, the retention rate of persons with disabilities is 85%.
Low absenteeism
A DuPont Corporation study found that 85% of its employees with disabilities rated average or above on attendance.
Excellent job performance
Statistics from 2001 Statistics Canada survey demonstrate 90% of people with disabilities did as well or better at their jobs than non-disabled co-workers.
Attract customers
In 2005, a U.S. National Survey of consumer attitudes towards companies that hire people with disabilities found that 92% of the American public viewed these companies more favorably. Eighty-seven percent said they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire people with disabilities.
Other Benefits
Make your team more efficient
Bundle entry-level tasks into customized supported positions, relieving your higher-salaried employees of time-consuming work.
We assist with training
Our job coaches specialize in preparing our job seekers to perform to your standards. Our assistance means you can spend less on shadowing.
Most prefer part-time
Many of our job seekers are seeking part-time employment, reducing your costs associated with payroll and benefits. Have a full-time need for an entry-level position? Do what others are doing and break the hours up to be filled by multiple part-time job seekers, working exactly when you need them to.
Tax breaks
If you hire an individual being served by our agency, you may qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The WOTC can reduce your federal business taxes by up to $2,400. We can help you navigate the necessary forms to apply for this credit.
Bundle entry-level tasks into customized supported positions, relieving your higher-salaried employees of time-consuming work.
We assist with training
Our job coaches specialize in preparing our job seekers to perform to your standards. Our assistance means you can spend less on shadowing.
Most prefer part-time
Many of our job seekers are seeking part-time employment, reducing your costs associated with payroll and benefits. Have a full-time need for an entry-level position? Do what others are doing and break the hours up to be filled by multiple part-time job seekers, working exactly when you need them to.
Tax breaks
If you hire an individual being served by our agency, you may qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The WOTC can reduce your federal business taxes by up to $2,400. We can help you navigate the necessary forms to apply for this credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to pay wages to a job coach?
A: No. Job coaches are employed by Washington Vocational Services.
Q: What if a job coach gets injured at my business?
A: Our job coaches are employed by us and therefore are covered by our L&I. You are only responsible for your employees.
Q: Isn’t accommodating a person with disabilities expensive?
A: A 2003 survey of employers found that the cost of adaptation to accommodate employees with disabilities was $500 or less. 73% of employers reported that their employees did not require special facilities at all.
A: No. Job coaches are employed by Washington Vocational Services.
Q: What if a job coach gets injured at my business?
A: Our job coaches are employed by us and therefore are covered by our L&I. You are only responsible for your employees.
Q: Isn’t accommodating a person with disabilities expensive?
A: A 2003 survey of employers found that the cost of adaptation to accommodate employees with disabilities was $500 or less. 73% of employers reported that their employees did not require special facilities at all.
Additional Resources
Work Opportunity Tax Credit Information
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wotc
Hiring People with Disabilities - DOL
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/hiring
United Nations Disability Employment Factsheet
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/resources/factsheet-on-persons-with-disabilities/disability-and-employment.html
Job Accommodation Network
https://askjan.org/
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wotc
Hiring People with Disabilities - DOL
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/hiring
United Nations Disability Employment Factsheet
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/resources/factsheet-on-persons-with-disabilities/disability-and-employment.html
Job Accommodation Network
https://askjan.org/