What is the Purpose of the NSITE ERE program?

NSITE’s ERE is a key behavioral component of a comprehensive Vocational Evaluation and assists you by:

• Identifying suitable career paths by bringing to light consumers’ skills, interests, and abilities as well as potential skills gaps that can be filled through targeted employment readiness or career skills training.
• Assessing vocational potential through this comprehensive evaluation of an individual's likelihood to successfully complete programs and/or thrive in employment environments.
• Determining employment readiness and identifying gaps as well as ways in which to address them.
• Supporting the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEP) based on ERE reports.

Why should VR Counselors enroll consumers in the ERE program?

The ERE takes the guesswork out of program funding decisions for your clients. We have developed this 8-week program in partnership with My New Behavior to provide your consumer and you with a thorough understanding of clients’ proficiency in six core behaviors that are strong indicators of success in training completion and job readiness:

• Social Communication – Clear, respectful, and purpose-driven communication style
• Initiative – Self-starter, proactive mindset
• Routine Discipline – Consistent daily task completion and follow-through
• Adaptability –Flexibility when it comes to change, tasks, and the use of tools
• Resilience – Ability to recover from setbacks
• Accountability/Ownership –Taking responsibility for actions and personal/professional growth

The bottom line: The ERE translates behavioral outcomes into structured input that supports career direction, skill development focus, and Individualized Education/Employment Plan decisions.

How can VR Counselors use ERE reporting to make program decisions with clients?

The reports generated at the end of the NSITE Employment Readiness Evaluation (ERE) will enable you to determine what the best-fit next programs and activities are for your consumers. You will be able to make enrollment decisions based on evaluation data rather than assumptions regarding your client’s likelihood of succeeding in training programs or job search activities.

The ERE Assessment provides counselors with:

• A standardized science- and evidence-based training and employment readiness assessment that complements existing vocational evaluations;
• Reliable insights into their clients’ training and employment readiness grounded in measurable behavior instead of self-reporting;
• The ability to make best-fit program enrollment and funding decisions that directly align with client readiness; and
• An evaluation that, while specifically designed for blind and low vision clients, is also available to all clients, including those who are neurodivergent or have other disabilities.

As a result, counselors can expect:

• Tailored reporting of measurable gains that allows for personalized coaching or training decisions; and
• Lower dropout rates from programs in general due to a better alignment of client readiness with program types prior to enrollment.

How is the ERE program structured?

The NSITE Employment Readiness Evaluation (ERE) program is fully online and self-paced. Immediately after an account is created, participants complete a structured online onboarding that provides clear guidance on the program’s purpose, workflow, and expectations. The onboarding includes a pre-recorded Q&A webinar addressing common participant questions. Following onboarding, there are no scheduled instructor-led sessions or fixed class times. The platform guides participants through the 8-week evaluation via daily assignments and activities.

What are the scientific and evidence-based underpinnings of the ERE?

The NSITE ERE program is built on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Behavior Change, resulting in a final assessment that is both science- and evidence-based. Integrated into the ERE are findings gained through our Building Professional Behaviors pilot program that will serve to improve the decision-making process for your clients’ path to learning and career success.

How is behavior measured and analyzed?

The NSITE Employment Readiness Evaluation (ERE) employs four independent data sources to ensure validity and reduce bias:

1. Simulations – The system presents realistic workplace or personal development scenarios. Participants will respond in text or audio, demonstrating self-awareness and decision-making skills.
2. Platform Behavior Tracking – The platform monitors actual engagement levels, incl. number of logins, routine completions, feedback use, and self-initiated actions.
3. Micro-Surveys – Built-in regular surveys serve to capture motivation levels, confidence, and overall mindset through targeted, validated questions throughout the program.
4. Pattern Analysis and NSITE Observation – An AI-driven pattern analysis compares sources 1-3, above, to detect inconsistencies (e.g., overestimation, masked potential, etc.) and adjusts scores accordingly, subject to NSITE staff validation

What is included in the Final ERE Report?

The Final Report will focus on three key areas:

• Training Readiness and Likelihood of Program Completion: Likelihood of consumers to successfully complete employment readiness and career skills training programs;
• Vocational Goal Setting and Follow-Through: Ability of consumers to engage in realistic goal setting and commitment to the pursuit of those goals; and
• Employment Readiness: Assessment of professional proficiency in office and assistive technologies as well as proficiency in the application of commonly expected professional behaviors in workforce environments.

The outcomes across these three areas provide structured, evidence-based input for the development of an Individualized Education/Employment Program (IEP), including high-level recommendations to support decisions about appropriate training, support, and next steps.