Transitional Employment

What Is Transitional Employment?

Transitional employment is a strategy that places individuals in temporary jobs with the goal of preparing them for permanent job placement.

Transitional employment is offered to unemployed or underemployed individuals who need help integrating back into the workforce. These individuals can include:

Transitional employment generally lasts between 3 and 12 months. After their time has ended, they have the opportunity to get hired full-time or move onto another transitional role where they can continue to enhance their skills.

Performance Management Made Easy.

Inspire, motivate and develop your employees with BambooHR. Our modern, flexible software is easy to use, providing a research-backed foundation you can customize for any team.

Try It Free

Transitional Job Examples

The temporary jobs in transitional employment aim to advance a person’s skills and acclimate them into the workforce. Employers must ensure transitional jobs abide by employee physical and health restrictions. These jobs, often referred to as light-duty jobs, will vary depending on the industry.

For example, transitional jobs in the transportation industry might include:

Transitional jobs in the healthcare industry might involve:

What Is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)?

The WIOA is U.S. legislation that allows local boards to provide transitional employment opportunities. It specifically helps:

The U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Education (ED), and Health and Human Services (HHS) work together to provide resources that aim to accomplish the WIOA’s goals listed above.

These resources include interactive online learning platforms that offer the latest technical assistance and job training tools. For more information on these resources, visit WorkforceGPS. This is WIOA’s partner site that offers individuals the tools they need to prepare for employment.

Who Is Eligible for Transitional Employment?

To be eligible for transitional employment, an individual must:

Transitional employment eligibility criterias vary across counties and organizations. Please speak with your county or HR department for specific requirements.

How Do Employers Benefit from Hiring Workers in Transitional Jobs?

Transitional job programs have been shown to increase business productivity, revenue, and customer satisfaction for the following reasons:

Transitional Employment vs. Supported Employment

While transitional employment looks after unemployed or underemployed individuals, supported employment specifically helps those with severe disabilities.

These disabilities include intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and traumatic brain injury. Those who qualify for supported employment require the assistance of mentors or job coaches to help them perform their work.