Vocational Unit
Through Vocational Unit services, the Independence Center assists all
interested members with their vocational and educational goals.
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The Unit regularly updates a list of employment
opportunities in the community and assists members pursing work in all
aspects of job search by providing extensive vocational training,
customized professional resume preparation, job-specific interview
coaching, and daily access to the Internet.
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Through its job development efforts the Unit establishes
supportive placement partnerships with employers in Waukegan, Gurnee,
Great Lakes, and Lake Forest, Illinois and other nearby communities.
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The Unit helps interested members identify and access
educational resources in the community for vocational training,
tutoring, and academic programs.
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The Unit celebrates individual members for their goal
achievements in employment and education at regularly scheduled
Vocational Support Dinners and other special events.
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By virtue of their membership, those who have no employment histories
or have not worked for many years or are given the opportunity to
develop stamina along with good work habits in order to establish a
current work history with references.
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Members can choose to participate actively in Center
operations by being a receptionist; helping with the Center Voice
newsletter, typing, or compiling statistical data; working in the
kitchen or snack shop preparing coffee or meals, performing customer
service and cashiering, dishwashing and general maintenance;
maintaining storage areas or the Center’s grounds or driving
passenger vans.
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Some Independence Center employer-partners also provide
transitional employment experiences in the form of temporary jobs or
meaningful volunteer work for members.
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Staff support newly employed members by providing short- or
long-term job coaching, as needed.
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Vocational Unit staff, with input from members, prepare and conduct
weekly sessions related to vocational pursuits that explore such topics
as...
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Knowing Rules for Success
in Employment and Life and Essential Work Values
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Determining Job Readiness
and What Employers Want Most in Applicants
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Establishing Vocational
Goals and Enhancing Job Communication Skills
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Preparing Strong
Promotional Resumes
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Executing Job
Search Strategies
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Understanding
Pre-employment Personality Tests
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Communicating One's
Disability & Accommodation Needs, Job-related Skills and
Performance Traits to Prospective Employers
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Fielding Tough Job
Interview Questions Successfully, Including Gaps in Employment,
Reasons for Leaving, and Disability- & Medical-Related
Inquiries
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Learning How to Bond with
Hiring Managers and to Ask for the Job
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