The Peer to Career Pipeline : An Observational Study of Peer Worker Trainee Characteristics and Training Completion Likelihood

Background: Peer recovery support services (PRSS) for substance use disorder (SUD) are a flexible and evidence-based intervention employed across multiple settings and for a variety of populations. These services have expanded over the past two decades, but there is little research on recruitment and training of prospective peer workers – the peer to career pipeline. This study observed training outcomes for applicants to a peer worker scholarship program in Texas.Methods: A total of 448 applicants provided baseline personal history information, and a subset of participants (n=239) completed optional psychosocial surveys. Logistic regression analysis was used to test associations of personal history and psychosocial variables with three training stage completion outcomes: classroom training completion, placement at an internship site, and full certification.Results: Past work with a SUD peer worker, age, and having a bachelor’s degree were positively associated with training stage completion across multiple models, while having basic technological access, being a woman and veteran status were each positively associated only with full certification in one model. Years since recovery initiation date, non-monosexual orientation, and quality of life were negatively associated with training stage completion in only one model, respectively.Conclusions: The existing peer workforce may be a key source of recruitment for new peer workers, thus retention of existing workers is key to ensuring continued expansion of these services. Additional support may be required to recruit and retain younger peer worker trainees, men trainees, or trainees without bachelor’s degrees