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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
June 5, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Celebrate Graduation of Ten Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

Gavin Pelfrey working in a UW-Platteville cafeteria as part a Project SEARCH internship rotation. Entering the program Gavin thought he would want an office job after graduating, but now says he enjoyed kitchen work more and hopes for a cafeteria job.

PLATTEVILLE – With the help of his aunt, Gavin Pelfrey joined Project SEARCH and enjoyed spending every day talking to his friends and co-workers.

Through the work skills and experiences he gained from the program, Pelfrey learned about different career opportunities which helped him decide what he wants to do after graduation.

"I learned about the environments of different work settings. Working in the office is different from working in dining services," Pelfrey said. "I came into Project SEARCH thinking I would want to work in an office setting, but I learned that I really enjoy work in a dining job."

Pelfrey is hopeful that he can secure a job at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's (UW-Platteville) Dining Services.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development congratulates the nearly 200 Project SEARCH graduates throughout Wisconsin during this program year. We are proud of their dedication to complete the program and work toward achieving their individual career goals," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "We also extend our appreciation to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, which has partnered with us on Project SEARCH and continues to open its doors to support the program and the interns it serves."

The graduation ceremony at UW-Platteville on Thursday, June 1, 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, Cooperative Educational Service Agency 3, Hodan Community Services, Inclusa, My Choice, TMG Wisconsin, Care Wisconsin, Southwest Community Action Program, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

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.

DWD Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator Delora Newton address interns and their families during a Project SEARCH graduation ceremony held at UW-Platteville.

Intern Bailey Durni laughs during Project SEARCH graduation at UW-Platteville.

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.