Updated November 2026

Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming, especially when a student is still discovering interests, strengths, and possible career paths. Florida Vocational Rehabilitation’s Pre-Employment Transition Services, commonly called Pre-ETS, are designed to give students with disabilities an early start.

Confirmed facts

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation states that Pre-ETS are available to students with disabilities ages 14–21 who are enrolled in school. Students who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR may receive these early career-preparation services. Florida also explains that students may participate in Pre-ETS without first applying for VR or being determined eligible for individualized VR services. Documentation requirements and the service process still apply. Read Florida VR’s student and youth overview.

The five required Pre-ETS areas are:

• Job exploration counseling: learning about occupations and connecting interests to possible careers.
• Work-based learning experiences: practicing skills in real workplaces and connecting school learning to work.
• Postsecondary education counseling: exploring college, technical education, training, and other education pathways.
• Workplace readiness training: developing communication, problem solving, interviewing, teamwork, and other employability skills.
• Self-advocacy instruction: learning to communicate strengths, needs, interests, and goals and to make informed choices.

View Florida VR’s student and youth frequently asked questions.

Mentoring Me Inc.’s interpretation

Students do not need to have an entire career mapped out before they begin. The value of Pre-ETS is that it provides structured opportunities to explore. A student may discover that an occupation is a strong fit, learn that a different environment is needed, or recognize a skill that should be strengthened before graduation.

Families can help by listening for patterns: What activities keep the student engaged? What environments help the student do well? Which duties create confidence, and which supports make success more likely? Those observations can make career planning more personal and useful.

One practical next step

Ask the student to choose one career area to explore this month. Then identify one related action: talk with a professional, tour a workplace or training program, practice a workplace skill, or participate in a work-based learning activity.

Students, parents, guardians, educators, and referral partners may use Mentoring Me Inc.’s Request Services form to share the student’s goals and ask about possible next steps. Submitting the form does not guarantee VR eligibility, authorization, enrollment, or services.