Establishment in productive occupations and perceived work ability among former students with special educational needs one year after upper secondary education.

Abstract

Establishment in productive occupations i.e. work and further studies, is challenging for students who experience special educational needs (SEN). The study aim was to investigate productive occupations and perceived work ability one year after upper secondary education among former students with SEN who had received a student-centred information and communication technology (ICT) intervention. Questionnaire data on productive occupations (n = 81) were complemented with the semi-structured Worker Role Interview (WRI) concerning perceived work ability (n = 20), in an embedded mixed methods design. Group comparisons between participants who were and were not established in productive occupations were performed. Written notes from the WRI were analysed with a deductive content analysis. Findings demonstrated that almost two-thirds (63% n = 51) of the former students with SEN were established in productive occupations. The established group had to a higher extent obtained pass grades and had to a lesser extent received time-assisting ICT. Managing daily routines in combination with a productive role in a satisfactory manner was perceived as most challenging for the participants in relation to their work ability. The results indicate that students with SEN need person-centred support to handle difficulties both in and outside upper secondary school to promote the transition from school to establishment in productive occupations.