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DWD, Gundersen Health System, Celebrate Graduation of Seven Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

LA CROSSE – Anthony Xiong learned about Project SEARCH through his high school transition coordinator. After touring the hospital, he liked what he saw and knew it would be a good place to prepare himself to reach his goal of living on his own.

"It has helped me better prepare for the world of work," he said. "I have learned soft skills of planning and organizing, being independent when I am not around other people, and how to use teamwork with employees when there is an issue to be fixed."

Thanks to the skills he learned through Project SEARCH, Anthony was offered two jobs at Gundersen Health System and will have work part-time in the laundry department.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is excited to celebrate nearly 200 Project SEARCH graduates throughout the state," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "We congratulate these talented individuals for their hard work over the past nine months. They've explored new opportunities and developed additional life skills, and they demonstrate the tremendous talents and abilities that our state's diverse and talented pool of career seekers can offer to any employer."

The graduation ceremony at Gundersen Health System on Thursday, May 25, in La Crosse, marked the completion of a nine- to 12-month immersive work experience. The interns recounted their hands-on experiences and talked about their future career opportunities.

In addition to the host site, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including the Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Holmen School District, Aptiv, Inc., GT Independence, Inclusa, Inc. TMG Wisconsin, IRIS, and Care Wisconsin. Statewide, 28 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation oversees Project SEARCH statewide and has supported the program with funding, coordination and technical assistance. The state division also provides vocational counseling and support to program participants.

Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among 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 and learn 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 approximately 1,500 Wisconsin residents since its statewide launch in 2008. For more, visit Project SEARCH Wisconsin.

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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 LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.