Competitive

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Frank Rusch in Competitive Employment: Issues and Strategies (Brookes; 1986), defined competitive employment in the following manner . . .

competitive employment is work that produces valued goods or services at a minimum wage or more, and in a setting that includes nonhandicapped workers and provides opportunities for advancement.

Competitive employment therefore, is the type of employment experienced by most individuals. Someone will discover a job opportunity, will apply for the job and are interviewed. If she is the best person for the job from the available applicants, she will be hired. A salary is either negotiated or accepted by the employee and employment tenure begins. Training and support are provided by the employer. As most individuals with disabilities are educated in general education classes, most will also be employed competitively.

Skills needed for most entry level jobs . . .

	Social skills
	"Good worker behaviors"
	Some competence in the vocational area

Tangential skills needed

	Transportation/ability to get oneself to work
	Money management

You can email Dr. McNair at jmcnair@calbaptist.edu