Assessment, education and placement: an integrated approach to vocational rehabilitation.

Taking into account that a great number of people in the Netherlands are considered incapacitated for work, reintegration activities are becoming increasingly important. Thus far, no studies have been conducted in the Netherlands to investigate the long-term effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation programmes. This study assessed the long-term effectiveness of the programmes of three vocational rehabilitation centres. The centres relate their success to the proportion of trainees participating in the competitive labour market. The centres provide integrated programmes in certified occupational training and personal skills training. After five years, 80% of the trainees are working in the competitive labour market. In addition, their personal skills have improved. Within 4 to 7 years the decrease in social security costs of reintegrated employees will outweigh the total costs of the vocational training programme.