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

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

LA CROSSE – Holden Olstad spent the past nine months learning new skills and trying new work opportunities at Gundersen Health System through Project SEARCH, a collaborative program overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).

Olstad, a graduate from Holden High School, realized quickly that he enjoyed cleaning, especially the hospital rooms. He developed great advocacy skills, asking to experience different areas of environmental services. Holden enjoyed everything about his rotation in environmental services but found his passion while working on the hospital floors.

"I love coming to my job every day to keep the hospital clean," Olstad said.

By the end of Olstad's first work rotation, his department manager expressed interest in hiring Olstad if he was interested in a job. Olstad decided to move directly into employment following his second Project SEARCH work rotation. With help learning new work skills through Project SEARCH, Olstad will begin a full-time job in the environmental services department at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

Olstad, along with seven other students with disabilities, celebrated the completion of Project SEARCH on May 23, during a graduation ceremony that drew friends and families to Gundersen Health System's Rasmus Center.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is excited to celebrate the state's nearly 200 Project SEARCH graduates, who have explored new skills, expanded their opportunities, and earned a great sense of accomplishment in the work they have done over the past nine months," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "In Wisconsin, successful programs like Project SEARCH reaffirm the tremendous skills and talents individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce, and that success would not be possible without the dedicated employers and statewide partners who deliver the program, day in and day out."

The graduation ceremony at Gundersen Health System on May 23 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 Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Aptiv, Holmen High School, IRIS, My Choice Wisconsin, Inclusa, and TMG Wisconsin. 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 both employability skills in a classroom and hands-on job skills in the business environment.

Started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project SEARCH has provided workforce training to over 1,800 Wisconsin residents since its statewide launch in 2008. For more information, visit Project SEARCH Wisconsin.

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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, Twitter and YouTube.