A few weeks ago I met a new employment specialist. I'm sure I mentioned it before, and I'm sure I said they'll do well, but given where I live, the chance of succeeding in helping folks obtain or retain long term gainful employment are...well, slim to none.
I've worked with these agencies for over a decade now. And while they've helped me find a few jobs in that time frame, keeping it is another story. In some cases, I couldn't handle the work. With others, I had suffered workplace abuses at the hands of spiteful managers, and other times, employers weren't looking for long term workers.
I can't say these agencies are to blame for the problems I've had with employment, but I do feel that there are some things to be desired when it comes to looking for long term work, especially where education is concerned. One of the agencies I've worked with has said flat out that they've never worked with someone 'at my level' before. It's rather sad, really.
As helpful as they try to be, it seems that agencies like Vocational Rehabilitation and others that work with prospective disabled employees have become yet another avenue for short term, low cost labor...or at least, that seems to be the case where I live. I'm sure I'm not alone, but I feel this needs to be brought to people's attention.
See you around,
Homer