Which term describes a step toward achieving competitive employment?

Transitional employment is a critical term in the context of achieving competitive employment, as it refers to temporary job opportunities designed to help individuals with disabilities or other barriers to the workforce gain work experience and develop essential skills. This employment model allows individuals to experience a real work environment while providing them with support and guidance to transition successfully into more permanent positions.

Typically, transitional employment offers structured support and is time-limited, allowing individuals to gradually adapt to the demands of competitive work settings. This approach not only aids in skill development but also builds confidence and increases the likelihood of securing long-term, competitive jobs once the individual has completed the transitional phase.

While vocational rehabilitation offers a broader framework for assisting individuals in overcoming barriers to employment, it encompasses various services, including transitional employment, job placement, and career counseling. This makes it more general compared to the specific nature of transitional employment, which focuses on immediate, actionable steps toward employment. Job placement services facilitate finding specific jobs while career counseling provides guidance around career decisions, both important but distinct from the direct experiential focus of transitional employment.

Transitional employment is thus integral in shaping an individual's pathway to competitive employment by providing necessary support and opportunities for growth in a real-world context.