25 Pre Vocational Skills that Teens Should Learn (and add to their IEP Transition Plan!)

Today, we’re diving into something that’s often overlooked but oh-so-important: pre-vocational skills. I find that many teams jump right to vocational planning and miss these important stepping stones to getting and keeping a meaningful job.

And if pre vocational skills get overlooked and either aren’t taught or aren’t supported, then our kids cannot get and keep jobs. And live independently. It snowballs!

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Pre Vocational Skills

Pre-vocational skills are the building blocks that prepare our kids for the real world, making them an essential part of IEP transition planning. Unfortunately, some of them are things our kids struggle with–a lot of social skills and executive functioning stuff.

But, knowledge is power and you can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge, right?

So let’s break it down: what are pre-vocational skills, why they matter, and how you can get them into your child’s IEP.

Spoiler alert: You’re gonna want these on your teen’s IEP yesterday!

What Are Pre-Vocational Skills?

Pre-vocational skills are the foundational abilities that help teens develop independence, responsibility, and work readiness. Think of them as the “soft skills” that set the stage for future employment or vocational training.

While academic skills are often at the forefront of education, pre-vocational skills focus on practical, everyday competencies like time management, communication, and problem-solving. They’re not just about landing a job; they’re about empowering your child to navigate life with confidence.

Pre-vocational skills help students bridge the gap between school and the next chapter of their lives, whether that’s further education, employment, or independent living. These skills are especially critical for students with IEPs, as they often need explicit instruction and practice to master these areas.

Why Pre-Vocational Skills Matter in IEP Transition Planning

Here’s the thing: once your child turns 16 (or earlier, in some states), their IEP should start focusing on IEP transition planning. This includes setting goals that help prepare them for life after high school.

But many parents find themselves overwhelmed when it comes to knowing which skills are important and how to advocate for them in an IEP meeting. It’s not just about academics anymore—it’s about life skills, independence, and the ability to succeed beyond the classroom walls.

Pre-vocational skills are critical because they help build the foundation for the next steps in life. They provide the practical know-how that many neurotypical kids pick up naturally but our kids might need more structured support to learn.

Think of pre-vocational skills as the connective tissue that holds everything else together—without them, all the academic gains in the world won’t translate into real-world success.

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25 Pre-Vocational Skills Your Teen Should Have

Ready for the list? These are the skills you want to see your child developing now to set them up for a successful transition.

And look, I get it. A lot of these skills are a HUGE struggle for our kids. This is the IDEAL. If your child struggles with this, think about what supports they need to compensate for lacking this skill. None of us excels at all 25 of these–again, this is the IDEAL.

1. Time Management: Understanding how to manage time effectively, including using a planner or digital calendar.
2. Following Directions: Listening to and following multi-step directions—this could be as simple as following a recipe or a more complex task at work.
3. Personal Responsibility: Taking responsibility for personal actions, completing assignments, and following through on commitments.
4. Communication Skills: Basic interpersonal skills like greeting others, asking for help, or expressing needs and wants clearly.
5. Problem-Solving: Identifying problems and figuring out potential solutions—like what to do if the bus doesn’t show up on time.
6. Task Initiation: Starting a task without procrastination and knowing what steps to take next.
7. Perseverance: Sticking with a task even when it’s challenging. This one’s big because life isn’t always easy!
8. Money Management: Basic skills like counting change, budgeting, and understanding the value of money.
9. Safety Awareness: Knowing what to do in an emergency, like calling 911 or understanding basic first aid.
10. Social Skills: Understanding social cues, maintaining eye contact, and participating appropriately in group settings.
11. Self-Advocacy: Speaking up for oneself, understanding one’s own needs, and knowing how to ask for help.
12. Personal Hygiene and Grooming: Taking care of personal hygiene without reminders, dressing appropriately for different settings.
13. Basic Cooking Skills: Making simple meals or snacks, using kitchen appliances safely, and following a recipe.
14. Cleaning and Organization: Keeping personal spaces clean and organized, and knowing how to manage household chores.
15. Transportation Skills: Understanding how to use public transportation, reading a bus schedule, or navigating a map.
16. Job Readiness: Knowing how to fill out a job application, write a basic resume, or practice for an interview.
17. Workplace Etiquette: Understanding appropriate workplace behavior, like being punctual, dressing appropriately, and respecting coworkers.
18. Stress Management: Recognizing stressors and using coping strategies, like deep breathing or taking breaks.
19. Technology Use: Basic computer skills, using email, and understanding internet safety.
20. Decision-Making: Making informed choices and weighing the pros and cons of different options.
21. Goal Setting: Setting realistic, achievable goals and breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps.
22. Emotional Regulation: Identifying and managing emotions in various situations, like staying calm during conflict.
23. Listening Skills: Active listening without interrupting, asking clarifying questions when needed.
24. Attention to Detail: Being able to focus on tasks, catch errors, and complete work accurately.
25. Adaptability: Adjusting to changes and being flexible when plans don’t go as expected.

How to Get Pre-Vocational Skills Added to Your IEP

Alright, now that we’ve identified these key skills, let’s talk about how to get them added to your child’s IEP. Here’s the game plan:

1. Start with the Present Levels: Check the Present Levels of Performance section of your child’s IEP. This is the starting point for identifying skills that need work. If you see gaps in areas like time management or social skills, make a note.
2. Request a Transition Assessment: This will help identify your child’s strengths, preferences, and needs. Assessments can include interviews, surveys, or situational assessments. The results should guide the creation of transition goals, including pre-vocational skills.
3. Write Specific Goals: Work with your IEP team to develop SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) that focus on pre-vocational skills. For example, “By the end of the school year, [Student] will independently use a planner to track daily assignments with 80% accuracy.”
4. Include Necessary Supports and Services: Make sure the IEP lists the supports your child needs to achieve these goals. This could include direct instruction in skills like budgeting, role-playing job interviews, or even occupational therapy to work on fine motor skills for tasks like cooking.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review progress on these goals and adjust as necessary. If your child isn’t making progress, revisit the goals and consider additional supports or accommodations.

Why You Need to Push for These Skills Now

Look, I know you have a lot on your plate already, and pushing for more IEP goals can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: these pre-vocational skills are not just “nice-to-haves”—they’re essentials. They’re the skills that will help your child navigate the complexities of adult life with greater independence and confidence. And isn’t that the whole point of all these IEP meetings, evaluations, and endless paperwork? To prepare our kids for a world that often feels like it wasn’t built for them?

So the next time you’re sitting at that IEP table, take a deep breath, hold your ground, and ask for what your child needs. You’ve got this—and if you need a little extra help along the way, you know where to find me.

Let’s keep advocating, one IEP meeting at a time.