Project SEARCH Model
- The Project SEARCH model was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Currently, there are 750+ Project SEARCH sites worldwide. The program reports that approximately 70% of students are employed within a year of graduation. This reflects the overall success of the program for graduates and their employers.
Project SEARCH sites may offer transition-to-work training for high school students and/or young adults. Many sites call the Project SEARCH students “interns” to reflect their roles in the workplace and the unique nature of their work placements and training. Key partners in any project SEARCH site include: educational institution, employment service agency, business host (the program site is based in this organization), students and their family/support circle.
Successful candidates who join Project SEARCH will:
- Participate in a variety of work experiences within the host business during three 10 week internships
- Acquire competitive, transferable and marketable employability skills
- Gain increased independence, confidence, and self-esteem
- Obtain work-based individualized coaching, instruction and feedback
- Develop links to employment support and other service agencies
Project SEARCH Trains Students with Disabilities
Most Project SEARCH sites provide training for students who have intellectual or communication disabilities. Eligible students may have mild intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, speech/language impairments or be deaf/hard of hearing. Eligibility criteria is developed by each Project SEARCH site – please visit your local site for more information.
What Project SEARCH Looks Like
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There are two facets to the Project SEARCH program: employment skills instruction and employment skills application. Each day begins in a classroom where students learn employability skills. After the class, the majority of each day is spent in hands-on training. The work placements are selected to ensure that students develop the skills that are in demand in their local labour markets. Students end their day back in the classroom, reflecting on the day, journaling their key learnings, problem solving, and planning. The program runs for approximately 10 months.
The teacher and skills trainers are onsite at the host business daily. In the classroom and on-the-job, they teach both the hard and soft skills needed for workplace success. In addition, students receive guidance from mentors who are experienced staff of the host business. The mentors act as advisors to guide the students’ skill development. The mentors share real-world performance expectations, help the students reflect on the competencies they are developing and give open, candid feedback.
The ultimate goal is to support students to be successful in their post-graduation search for competitive employment, utilizing the skills learned in the work experiences and throughout the program. Some students may be hired by the host business where they trained. Others find employment in a range of industries in their local communities. Each student is supported by a local employment service provider during programming and following graduation. Employment Service Providers provide individualized support for students as needed for a minimum of one year. This includes assistance searching for a job, onboarding and maintaining employment.
For information about Project SEARCH in your community and how to apply, click here
The teacher and skills trainers are onsite at the host business daily. In the classroom and on-the-job, they teach both the hard and soft skills needed for workplace success. In addition, students receive guidance from mentors who are experienced staff of the host business. The mentors act as advisors to guide the students’ skill development. The mentors share real-world performance expectations, help the students reflect on the competencies they are developing and give open, candid feedback.
The ultimate goal is to support students to be successful in their post-graduation search for competitive employment, utilizing the skills learned in the work experiences and throughout the program. Some students may be hired by the host business where they trained. Others find employment in a range of industries in their local communities. Each student is supported by a local employment service provider during programming and following graduation. Employment Service Providers provide individualized support for students as needed for a minimum of one year. This includes assistance searching for a job, onboarding and maintaining employment.
For information about Project SEARCH in your community and how to apply, click here
Project SEARCH Canada Outcomes
All Project SEARCH sites submit outcome data annually 9 months post-graduation to an international database. Project SEARCH has a rigorous definition of employment (1) and publicly reports its employment outcomes (2).
Notes:
(1) Project SEARCH definition/criteria for employment:
- Competitive employment in an integrated setting (co-workers with and without disabilities)
- Year-round, non-seasonal employment
- 16 hours a week or more
- Minimum wage or higher
(2) Data from 2018 through 2022: Before COVID, employment outcomes were approximately 75% overall (meeting Project SEARCH criteria 67-70%). There was a decrease in 2020 for graduates who completed Project SEARCH at the start of the COVID pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, there is a return to near pre-pandemic rates of employment. (Based on outcome reporting by 93-98% of Project SEARCH program sites.) See www.projectsearch.us/outcomes
Project SEARCH Canada sites are grateful to Enriched Academy for making its SmartStart and EnrichedStart financial life skills programs available for our students.