americansamoa.gov

Posted: June 16, 2025

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Quality Employment Training

The Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Adrian Vasai launched the second series of its capacity building initiative aimed to improve the skills set of its cadre of Counselor Core responsible to find employment placement for individuals deemed to be afflicted by disabilities. In light of the fierce competition for the limited number of available employment opportunities, the counselor plays a critical and vital role in job identification, providing appropriate skills training, and especially to facilitate the placement of the individual in the job. The negative connotation attached to the misnomer associated with the label disability adds to the complexity and difficulty in finding jobs for this sector of American Samoa’s population suffering from disabilities.

This training regimen complements the commitment by the Pulaali’i and Pulumataala Administration promising the creation of service equity for all the residents of American Samoa heedless of ability or disability and to develop a workforce possessing the skills set to bolster the territory’s economy.

Through the partnership established with the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC.QE) Dr. Timothy N. Tansey, PhD, CRC, CVE, Licensed Psychologist out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Dr. Michael Frain, CRC, PhD. Professor, Rehabilitation Counseling out of Florida Atlantic University conducted the two-day training sessions (June 9, 2025 – June 10, 2025) for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Counselling core. This counselling empowerment training program was made possible by VRTAC-QE at no cost to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

The counselors expressed appreciation for this accelerated and intensive training opportunity given that all of them have not had the opportunity to receive formalized training specific to the very essence of their duties and responsibilities – finding and placing individuals with disabilities in competitive employment. The Counselors received specific training on every aspect of their respective duties and responsibilities and how to navigate and negotiate the systemic challenges which thwart their efforts to effectively implement their responsibilities.

Professor Dr. Michael Frian focused his training on equipping the Counselors with skills to maximize the participation of youth in the Pre-Employment Transition Services Training Program to optimize their preparation to successfully transition from school to the world of work. Investing in the youth with disabilities is deemed the best to secure prosperous futures for them by ensuring that they are gainfully employed. With the growing scarcity in the number of available jobs, it becomes critical to adequately prepare the youth of American Samoa with disabilities to ensure that they will be successful in securing employment opportunities.

The opportunity was availed to business owners as well to sensitize them on how they can partner with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation with regard to the placement of individuals with disabilities in jobs. Executive Director Adrian Vasai extended the gratitude of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to the Businesses who manifested their commitment by their presence and participation in the training forum to share their thoughts, as well as their recommendations, on how to fashion an effective strategy to facilitate the employment of individuals with disabilities. The Businesses expressed their willingness to partner with OVR to address the needs of individuals with disabilities. They were also eager to join forces with OVR in conducting outreach programs to encourage more businesses to participate in the process of creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The businesses also suggested that this dialogue must be maintained so they are made aware of individuals with disabilities who are ready to enter the workforce.