EVALUATION CENTER

The Vocational Evaluation Center (VEC) in the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center is equipped with 28 units of the Singer Vocational Evaluation System. This system is recognized and used by various types of centers and institutions throughout the United States.

Students and out-of-school individuals are referred to the VEC through counselors, teachers, in-take offices, rehabilitation officers, etc., to be evaluated in terms of interest and aptitude through completion of hands-on work samples. These work samples represent various vocational training areas, areas relating to the world of work, and specific worker trait groups as listed in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Characteristics and qualities of such work samples include: alleviating most reading and writing; screening ability to follow oral and visual directions; introduction of some basic work skills and terminology; demonstration of functional ability; assessment of attitude, aptitude, and interest; indication of tolerance limitations; objective evaluation through use of both time and quality standards; and identification and exploration of occupational aspirations as well as exposure to previously unidentified and/or unthought-of interests.

Vocational Interest Assessment System (VIAS)

Utilized in the VEC is a picture interest assessment survey called the Vocational Interest Assessment System (VIAS). The VIAS is a unique interest assessment device. The program was developed in response to the needs of current legislation concerning vocational interest assessment. The inventory utilizes an audio-visual format instead of verbal statements and emphasizes affective cognitive as opposed to verbal processes. Its purpose is to help an individual identify areas of potential occupational exploration and training on the basis of his affective response to actual work scenes. The VIAS is sex-fair and attempts to break down traditional career stereotyping. Its non-verbal approach makes it especially useful for all individuals regardless of academic ability. Because it is designed for manual or computer scoring, it is convenient, flexible and easy to use. This is the result of years of research, development, and field testing.

VIAS is unique in that it can be logically followed with extensive hands-on career exploration. VIAS has been correlated to the career and exploration work stations of New Concepts, Corp./Singer Career Systems. This gives you the missing link between interest and vocational selection. This is achieved by verification of interest through comprehensive hands-on real work simulations with the Singer Vocational Evaluation System.
Vocational Evaluation Center:   Singer Work Stations