Project SEARCH — Supported Internships — Full-time

Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The programme provides real work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills delivered in a business setting to help young people make successful transitions to productive adult life.

Opportunities are diverse and include logistics, catering, domestic services and more. Students participate in up to three internships throughout the course.

Each student has a network of support that includes his or her family, a tutor, job coaches and host business mentors with the aim of aiding the transition from college to work.

Core Components of Project Search

1. Outcome goal is full-time, paid employment.
   
2. True co-production across partners is essential.
3. Business-led program requiring total immersion in the workplace.
4. Focus on serving young adults with significant learning disabilities who will need to receive follow-on services to retain employment.
5. Partners must provide a consistent on-site staff team.
6. Each agreement site has with a licensing agreement with DFN Project Search.

A Typical Day

A typical day includes (Monday to Friday):
09:15 - 10:00 Classroom instruction in employability and independent living skills.
10:00 - 14:00 Unpaid internship at a facility or department.
14:00 - 15:30 Classroom time to discuss and debrief.

Interns have lunch with colleagues during their workday and participate in meetings and social events.

DFN Project Search Benefits

1. Internship training experiences.
2. Competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills.
3. Increased independence, confidence and self-esteem.
4. Individualised coaching on the job and feedback daily.
5. Building personal and professional relationships.
6. Participation in a curriculum focused on soft skills required to maintain employment in addition to financial literacy, health and more.