2. News Room

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DWD, Sentry Insurance, and UW-Stevens Point Celebrate Graduation of Seven Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH program prepares young adults with disabilities for rewarding careers

STEVENS POINT – Christian Myers graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High in 2021. Introduced to Project SEARCH by his teachers and parents, Christian has "enjoyed building relationships with those he works with the most throughout the program."

Thanks to Project SEARCH, Christian has learned how to write a resume and cover letter and has gained confidence in building relationships and interacting with co-workers. Following graduation, Christian will work for the UW-Stevens Point Waste Management Center.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development celebrates over 180 Project SEARCH graduates throughout the state who have explored new skills, expanded their opportunities, and earned a sense of pride through rewarding work," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "In Wisconsin, some 171,000 people with disabilities are not attached to the labor market, yet we know many want to work. With our record-low unemployment rate, supporting these individuals in achieving their employment potential has never been more important."

The graduation ceremony held at the Stevens Point Area Senior High Auditorium on Friday, May 27, marked the completion of an immersive work experience. The seven interns recounted their hands-on experiences and talked about their future career opportunities.

In addition to the host sites and DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including Inclusa, Lakeland Care, and the Stevens Point Area School District. Statewide, 25 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among DWD, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, area schools, local employers, and long-term care organizations to help interns acquire marketable, competitive, and transferable skills that lead to employment. The interns complete multiple 10-week rotations to maximize exposure to different career paths, learning employability skills in a classroom and hands-on job skills within the business environment.

Started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project SEARCH has provided workforce training to nearly 1,500 Wisconsinites since its statewide launch in 2008. For more information, visit the Project SEARCH Wisconsin website.

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Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.