Project SEARCH Interns Celebrate Successful Year of Workplace Learning
Peterborough, ON – Six Project SEARCH interns are celebrating the successful completion of workplace learning and skills development after spending part of their school year gaining hands-on experience through placements with the City of Peterborough.
Project SEARCH is an internationally recognized internship program that offers transition-to-work opportunities for program participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This project was done in partnership between the City of Peterborough, the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board and Fleming College’s Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services.
Interns participated in rotating placements across multiple City divisions, working alongside staff mentors and receiving support from their teachers. Peterborough Transit provided interns with free public transit.
As interns move on to the next stage of their employment journey, the City congratulates them on their accomplishments and thanks the mentors, program partners and staff whose support helped make this year's program a success.
Quotes
“Project SEARCH is about creating opportunities for interns to discover their strengths, build confidence, and gain meaningful workplace experience. These interns should be extremely proud of what they have achieved throughout the program – their growth has been remarkable to witness! They approached each placement with enthusiasm, courage, and curiosity. The City is proud to have been part of their journey and to support a program that helps create accessible and inclusive pathways to employment.” - Reem Ali, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisor for the City of Peterborough.
"PVNC Catholic, in proud partnership with the City of Peterborough, is thrilled to celebrate the highly successful completion of the inaugural year of Project SEARCH. Over the past school year, this transformative transition-to-work program has allowed our students to immerse themselves in hands-on work rotations across various municipal departments, successfully bridging the gap between school and meaningful employment. By blending classroom instruction with real-world experience, our interns have developed vital job skills, built immense confidence, and demonstrated the incredible potential of inclusive education. We are immensely grateful to the City mentors, families, and community partners whose unwavering support has helped these young people pave a clear pathway toward long-term independence and career success." - Karen Spenceley, Principal of Special Education, PVNC Catholic.
“We applaud the Project SEARCH participants as they celebrate completion of the program. Together, with our community partners, we are committed to building on the program's success as participants find pathways to long-term employment.” - Joanne Spicer, Associate Vice President, Student Experience, Fleming College.
