Participant Employment

Employment and financial status are relatively linked subjects and the data reported in the following sections reflect that relationship. There were several questions on the Impact Survey that dealt with issues related to employment. With the current emphasis on “workforce development,” historical information related to the ongoing accomplishments of ABLE program graduates is of interest. Information from the Informal Interviews was combined with information from the Impact Survey in order to identify the current status of participants. Chart 4 presents information on the current status of participants grouped into four major areas.

CHART 4

Current Employment Status of Participants

In interpreting Chart 4, the reader will need to take into account data presented earlier in the demographic section, specifically the fact that 15 individuals fell into the age group above 60 and another 13 individuals were above age 50. While the study sample obviously reflects a “mature” population, a relatively low percentage of individuals consider themselves to be “retired.” Levels of employment consistently range between 60 percent and 70 percent when viewed across gender. Although unemployment levels of 30 percent to 40 percent exceed the levels of the general population, the participant group includes a disproportionate number of handicapped individuals, a likely factor in the elevated unemployment.