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DWD, Mayo Clinic, Celebrate Graduation of 7 Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

EAU CLAIRE – Thea Lenhart spent the past nine months learning new skills and trying new work opportunities at the Mayo Clinic Hospital through Project SEARCH, a collaborative program overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).

Lenhart, a graduate from Chippewa Falls High School, particularly enjoyed working at the hospital coffee shop, where she had the opportunity to stock the sandwiches and chips, and assist with inventory.

"I will miss the Goat Coffeehouse," Lenhart said, adding, "doing my tasks and working at Project SEARCH."

Lenhart, along with eight other students with disabilities, celebrated the completion of Project SEARCH on May 31, 2024, during a graduation ceremony that drew friends and families to Mayo Clinic's lower-level auditorium. With help learning new work skills through Project SEARCH, Lenhart hopes to find a full-time job in Chippewa Falls.

"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 Mayo Clinic Health Systems on May 31 in Eau Claire, 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), the Eau Claire School District, LE Phillips Career Development Center, TMG Wisconsin, and Inclusa Eau Claire. 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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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.