What is the main goal of vocational assistance for injured workers?

The main goal of vocational assistance for injured workers is to help them return to suitable work at a wage close to 100% of their adjusted weekly wage. This focus on suitable employment is critical as it aims to reintegrate injured workers into the workforce in a way that minimizes the financial impact of their injury. By targeting a return to work that is as close as possible to their previous earnings, vocational assistance helps maintain the economic stability of the worker and fosters their sense of purpose and identity through productive employment.

Vocational assistance programs may offer various services, such as job training, rehabilitation, and career counseling, all designed to equip injured workers with the necessary skills to re-enter the job market successfully. This proactive approach contributes to broader goals, such as reducing long-term dependency on benefits and promoting overall well-being among injured workers.

Temporary disability payments, while important for providing immediate financial support during recovery, do not address the long-term goal of returning to the workforce. Reducing the number of workers' compensation claims or ensuring long-term health benefits are not the primary focus of vocational assistance; rather, they are part of the wider context of workplace safety and health care management that encompasses vocational rehabilitation.