The goal of the Vocational Education program is to prepare Daytop graduates to be productive and self supporting. The first step is a Vocational Education profile of the client's current status, which includes education and employment histories, previous training, legal history, drug, social, and medical histories, and reading & math levels. Then counselor and client work on an initial needs assessment including long and short term goal development.

Vocational counselors work with a number of outside agencies including OVR (the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation), VESID (Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities), vocational training schools and Community Colleges. Through these programs, eligible clients can obtain vocational training in fields such as heating and air conditioning repair, food service, and commercial driving. Some programs result in professional certificates.

Besides education and training, job readiness includes such issues as job search strategies, how to write a resume, and how to conduct oneself on an interview. For Daytop clients it may also include how to balance job, family, and financial planning. Daytop maintains a network of employment contacts to assist clients with their job search. Counselors also direct clients to government agencies and placement offices which are helpful in gaining employment.