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Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

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

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

Nathaniel (Nate) Finnessy celebrates on stage at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point after receiving his high school diploma and Project SEARCH certificate.

STEVENS POINT – Nate Finnessy is naturally gregarious. As an outgoing person he really enjoyed the last nine months meeting people in the classroom before graduation through the Stevens Point Area Public School District. All the while, he was getting job experience through Project SEARCH and working at Kroger Metro Market in Plover.

"I love talking to people and learning new things. At the grocery store I worked in the produce department and helped with cleaning duties," said Nate.

He was one of seven interns who gained job skills through Project SEARCH, a program for young adults with disabilities, with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point serving as the Project SEARCH host site.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is proud of what these interns have achieved over the last nine months through Project SEARCH," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish as talented and highly skilled members of our state's workforce."

A graduation ceremony on Friday, May 26, at the university's Dreyfus University Center, 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's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Stevens Point Area School District, Inclusa, Lakeland Care, and Opportunity Development Center, Inc. Statewide, 28 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

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.

Five Project SEARCH graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point site gather for a group photo with Stevens Point Area School District Superintendent Cory Hirshbrunner (second from right) and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Jennifer Sereno (right).

ABOUT DWD

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.