In vocational rehabilitation, progress has often been measured by one question: Did the person get the job?
But under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), that’s no longer enough. WIOA raised the bar by making job retention a key performance measure and promoting career advancement as an important goal. VR programs are now expected to track whether participants are still working 6 months and 12 months after services end, and whether they remain with the same employer.
Why Job Retention Matters
Getting a job is only the first step toward lasting employment. Research shows that meaningful work improves health, self-esteem, and quality of life. But for too many people with disabilities, these benefits are short-lived: only about 58% remain employed a year after exiting VR, and just 40% stay with the same employer, according to recent research by VRTAC-QE. Those odds are closer to a coin toss than a solid career path.
The Economics of Job Loss
When jobs don’t last, the costs are high. Job loss can mean loss of income, benefits, stability, and confidence—making it harder to re-enter the workforce. It also undermines the investment of time and resources that VR agencies, employers, and individuals put into securing that job in the first place.
WIOA’s Focus on Job Retention
WIOA’s focus on retention pushes us to ask not just “How do we get people into jobs?” but “How do we help them keep and grow in those jobs?” This means:
- Identifying and addressing barriers early—before they lead to resignation or termination.
- Building skills for workplace communication, self-advocacy, and problem-solving.
- Ensuring follow-up support after placement to navigate challenges as they arise.
- Partnering with employers to create inclusive, sustainable work environments.
The Key to Long-Term Impact
Focusing on job retention isn’t optional, it’s essential. Every job that’s lost too soon represents lost income, lost stability, and lost opportunity. VR professionals are uniquely positioned to change that by making retention support as much a priority as job placement.
When we help people not just land a job, but keep it and grow in it, we create lasting change. We turn job placements into long-term careers and open doors to greater independence, stability, and opportunity.