We get this question often. The current answer is 45! (And growing every day!)
Take a look at current offerings of the most recent version of Employment Pathfinder:
Introductory Jobs
Jobs in this area are a great way to learn basic skills that can prepare you for other jobs, while doing something important.
Typically, you would be asked to fold, sort, and insert paper products into envelopes.
Alternatively, you might be counting a specific number of parts and putting them in a box, and then binding the box.
Sometimes instead, you might be asked to put the items in a bag, and then tying a twist tie on the bag. Other jobs might be inserting pages into an envelope or folder.
Short video examples of:
- Basic assembly
- Counting
- Sorting
Custodial, Janitorial and Cleaning
Many people take pride in their work and have long enjoyable careers in custodial departments.
These jobs vary from place to place, but they typically include the use of tools and products for cleaning.
The typical areas to be cleaned and maintained are: common areas, locker rooms, offices, bathrooms, and customer waiting areas.
Short video examples of:
- Restrooms
- Cleaning surfaces
- Mopping and sweeping
Housekeeping
Working in a hotel and preparing rooms for the next guest is an important job that many people enjoy.
You would be responsible for cleaning rooms by yourself but would also be able to sometimes visit with other employees in the hallway.
You will make the beds with clean sheets and pillowcases, vacuum the floors, and clean up the bathroom.
Short video examples of:
- Cleaning mirrors, sinks
- Bed making
- Fresh Linens and towels
Office
There is a wide variety of tasks that you may need to perform in an office. Some of the basic skills are filing folders, sorting mail and using tools such as staplers, pens, paper clips, etc.
Other jobs require the use of basic office machines, such as printers, copiers, sending faxes, and scanning documents. Many of these office machines jam after use, and you will need to figure out where the problem is and fix it.
Many times, office jobs require that you wear nicer clothing and working with people in a fast-paced environment.
If you like to work with people, and you have good social skills and communication skills, this may be a good match for you.
Short video examples of:
- Phone, receptionist
- Organizing
- Copying, faxing
Computers
Employees in almost every industry may eventually require using a tablet or computer. This may simply require basic touch screen operations.
Other jobs, such as in offices may require basic skills in using a keyboard and mouse with a variety of programs and applications, such as for typing letters, reading email, and spreadsheets.
Jobs at this level require training in security issues. Check with your support personnel to make sure that you qualify. If you do, you may enjoy this type of work.
Short video examples of:
- Cabling, configuring computers
- Opening PCs and installing new hardware
- Upgrading PCs
- Troubleshooting and Component replacement
Food service / Restaurant
Restaurants are great places to work if you like meeting and coordinating with people.
There are many different types of restaurants, and the skills you will need to develop may be different in each one.
You will typically start with cleaning tables after people finish eating or helping with washing dishes in the kitchen.
You may also help take people food orders or using a point-of-sale touch screen terminal to help customers who want to pay their bill.
There are always things to clean and organize for the next customer.
Short video examples of:
- Setting tables
- Refilling drinks
- Cleaning, bussing tables
- Hostess
- Taking food orders
Automotive technicians
This industry varies and may be great for people who enjoy working around cars.
Starting jobs might be in tire replacements, cleaning, and oil filter replacement.
Some can work their way into Brake replacement, and mechanical work under the hood, or under the vehicle.
Short video examples of:
- Tire rotation, repair and replacement
- Basic servicing
- Troubleshooting and repair
Landscaping
If you enjoy caring for plants, gardening, removing garden waste, using hand tools, and using power tools to get these jobs done safely, then you might enjoy common landscaping and lawn maintenance jobs.
You will need to lift heavy items, and demonstrate that you can safely use hedge trimmers, edging tools, and spread fertilizers, pesticides to get rid of bugs, and operate lawn mowers.
Depending on where you live, you may need to use snow removal equipment in the winter months.
Short video examples of:
- Mowing
- Cleanup/Raking
- Pesticides
- Snow removal
General Tool Related Jobs
Some jobs require experience in safely using tools.
If you like using your hands, and you are careful with tools, this area might be for you. There are many tools, but some of the common ones that don’t have power are hammers, screwdrivers, plyers, and hand saws.
Powered equipment can be saws, drills, lathes and nail guns and sanders. Air tools can include special nut drivers in automotive settings, nail guns in construction, and jack hammers that break up flooring or concrete.
These jobs require your special attention to safety.
Short video examples of:
Using a power screwdriver
Plumbing
Drilling/power tools
Laundry
These positions typically involve washing clothes, uniforms, sheets, and other bedding.
You will learn how to check for stains how to sort items. Sorting is important because different materials get washed and dried in different ways.
You will also learn how to use some really cool washing machines and dryers, how to properly remove and fold items, and how to store them for use.
Short video examples of:
- Sorting
- Pickup and delivery
- Using large washing machines and dryers
Retail and wholesale stores
The retail industry is a huge vocational area and might be great for people who like to work with people and do a lot of different things.
The most common types of stores tend to sell food, clothes, tools, and items for the home. For every worker you see in the main part of the store, you might have ethe skills to operate a point-of-sale terminal, help customers, bag items, or help take items to customer’s vehicles.
There are also a lot of jobs in the back room. These jobs involve skills such as stocking items, unpacking items, inventory control, receiving inventory, hanging out clothes, and many more.
Short video examples of:
- Pricing and displaying items
- Bagging and helping customers
- Inventory control
Residential and Day Care support personnel
In this type of job, you would be helping to take care of older adults, children, or people with special needs.
This would typically be in a facility that is a day program, or this might be an activity center that is connected to apartments where people live.
This job might be for you if you like working with a wide variety of people, and you like taking care of others.
Part of your duties might be to help move, setup and operate recreational equipment, serve light meals or snacks, and assist people who use wheelchairs or walkers.
Short video examples of:
- Helping residents with daily hygiene activities
- Transporting residents
Food preparation
The kitchen in a restaurant is a very busy place. If you like preparing food and working as a team, and you can safely handle sharp objects, appliances and hot stoves – this job might be for you.
You will be expected to help with the planning, preparing, cooking and storing food in containers and the large refrigerators that are as big as a living room.
There are a lot of rules in how food can be handled, and safety while maintaining a fast pace is extremely important.
Short video examples of:
- Preparing and inventorying food items
- Baking
- Dispensing portions into customer’s plates
Warehouse
If you can demonstrate safety and work independently in a large building, you may enjoy warehouse jobs.
You will be picking up packages, packing boxes, shipping packages, and finding the location of material in a large warehouse or storage facility.
Advanced job skills are required for inventory management and operating forklifts and power skids to move pallets of inventory.
Short video examples of:
- What a warehouse looks like
- Boxing items
- Using bar code scanners and conveyors to prepare items to ship
Trades and construction
This is industry has a lot of variety and involves many people at all skill levels.
If you like working on a team, and working with your hands, this field might be interesting to you. Most tasks require lifting, carrying, general hand tool use, and power tool use.
The types of work can range from framing walls, installing insulation and drywall. If you like to paint, there are many opportunities, as well as installing roofing materials and carpeting.
You might be able to work your way up to plumbing and electrical work. Typically, you will start out with simple tasks, and then advance to harder tasks as you learn and grow your skills.
Short video examples of:
- Painting
- Drywall installation
- Roofing
Interested in learning more about streamlining your vocational rehabilitation program with Employment Pathfinder assessments? Email us at info@createabilityinc.com for more details!
