The Potential Impact of Job Automation on Veterans in Vocational Rehabilitation Programs.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to examine the potential impact of job automation on veterans in the largest U.S. vocational rehabilitation program, the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program.

METHODS

Sixty-two CWT managers were surveyed about common jobs that veterans want and are placed in and about the anticipated impact of job automation on veterans in this program. Probabilistic estimates of job automation were applied to manager responses.

RESULTS

The most common jobs veterans want or are placed in have high probabilities of being automated, including housekeeping/janitorial service (66% probability), administrative and clerical tasks (96%), food service (87%-96%), and warehouse positions (98%). Forty percent of managers anticipate that job automation will have negative impacts on job opportunities for veterans; another 15% believe that new jobs will emerge, but education and retraining will be needed.

CONCLUSIONS

For adults who need vocational rehabilitation, planning is needed to adjust to the changing landscape of work that automation presents.