This paper discusses the influence of parental occupation on career development of youths with Intellectual disabilities (IDs) in selected skills training institutions in Zambia. The phenomenological study was carried out in Kabwe, Chisamba and Ndola districts of Central and Copper belt Provinces respectively. Purposive sampling was to select a sample of 60 respondents: parents of youths with IDs (30), youths with IDs (15) and lecturers of youths with IDs (15).Semi-structured interviews, observations and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)were used to collect data. Data analysis was done thematically. The study revealed that parental occupation influences career development of youths with IDs through role modeling and interactions. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Higher Education should provide training to parents of youths with IDs as a way of helping them gain awareness of their role in career development of their children.