Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, Department of Human Development and Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| [b] Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Individuals with developmental disabilities experience lower employment, higher underemployment, and higher job switching rates than the general population. OBJECTIVE:The current study investigated: (1) the vocational and support experiences of individuals with developmental disabilities, and (2) the differences in participant outcomes between an apprenticeship-model employment program and the comparison group. METHODS:Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess outcomes and experiences of participants in the apprenticeship model employment program (N = 22) and a community-based “Job Club” (N = 11). Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview transcripts. Independent samples T-tests and paired samples T-tests were utilized to analyze within-group and between group differences. RESULTS:Parent interview data regarding past and current experiences of the participants in the apprenticeship model employment program suggest 6 major themes. Independent samples T-tests determined that the apprenticeship program participants were significantly less employed than the comparison group at pre-, then similarly employed as the comparison group at post-intervention. Within-group analyses determined that some aspects of participant confidence in their vocational skills and problem-solving skills significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention, according to parent report. CONCLUSIONS:The apprenticeship model of employment appears to be a promising model in need of further study with a larger sample size.
Keywords: Developmental disabilities, employment, transition to adulthood, apprenticeships
