Project | SEARCH Model
The Project | SEARCH model was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996. Currently, there are 800+ Project | SEARCH sites worldwide. The program reports that approximately 75% of students are employed within a year of graduation. This reflects the overall success of the program for graduates and their employers.
Project | SEARCH sites may offer transition-to-work training for high school students and/or young adults. Successful candidates who join Project | SEARCH will:
- Participate in a variety of work experiences within the host business during three 10-12 week internships
- Acquire competitive, transferable and marketable employability skills
- Gain increased independence, confidence, and self-esteem
- Obtain work-based individualized coaching, instruction and feedback
- Develop links to employment support and other service agencies
Looking for more information on Project | SEARCH?
Contact UsWhat Project | SEARCH Looks Like
There are two facets to the Project | SEARCH program: employment skills instruction and employment skills application.
Each day begins in the Project | SEARCH classroom at the host business site where students learn employability skills. After the class, the majority of each day is spent in hands-on training. The work placements are selected to ensure that students develop the skills that are in demand in their local labour markets. Students end their day back in the classroom, reflecting on the day, journaling their key learnings, problem-solving, and planning. The program follows the Grand Erie Secondary School Calendar.
- 2025 2026 Project SEARCH Brantford Program Calendar
- 2025 2026 Project SEARCH Haldimand Program Calendar
- 2025 2026 Project SEARCH Norfolk Program Calendar
The teacher and skills trainers are onsite at the host business daily. In the classroom and on-the-job, they teach both the hard and soft skills needed for workplace success. In addition, students receive guidance from mentors, also known as Champions, who are experienced staff of the host business. Champions/Mentors act as advisors to guide the students’ skill development. They share real-world performance expectations, help the students reflect on the competencies they are developing and give open, candid feedback.
The ultimate goal is to support students to be successful in their post-graduation search for competitive employment, utilizing the skills learned in the work experiences and throughout the program. Some students may be hired by the host business where they trained. Others find employment in a range of industries in their local communities.
Project | SEARCH Brantford's Host Business Site
St. Joseph's Long-Term Care
A proud member of St. Joseph’s Health System, St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre is the largest not-for-profit long-term care home in Brantford and Brant County, home to 205 residents. We provide a welcoming, compassionate place to live, with medical and support services designed to bring comfort and improve quality of life for our residents.
Located at 99 Wayne Gretzky Parkway, St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre has proudly hosted the Project |SEARCH Brantford program since 2022, supporting interns in gaining valuable work experience.
- St. Joseph’s Long-Term Care is the largest long-term care home in Brantford and Brant County with 205 beds
- One of only two not-for-profit homes in the area
- Excellent record with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Public Health
- Proud member of the St. Joseph's Health System
- Highest resident and family satisfaction within the St. Joseph's Health System since 2012
- Supported by funding from St. Joseph's Lifecare Foundation
- Since 2022, honoured to host Project |SEARCH Brantford
Internships at St Joseph’s LC
- Housekeeping
- Kitchenette
- Main Kitchen
- Laundry
- Reception
- Handyman
- Auditing
- Neighbourhood Assistant
- Recreation Department
Learn more about Project | SEARCH Brant
Project | SEARCH Brantford's Supported Employment Program Partner
Community Living Brant has been working with people to reach their employment goals for over 30 years, focusing on long-term employment supports that include:
- On-site job coaching and skills training
- Navigation of accommodations
- Person-centered planning and goal setting
- Resume and interview assistance
- Job development
Project | SEARCH Norfolk's Host Business Site
Project | SEARCH Norfolk's host business site is Norfolk General Hospital, located at 365 West Street, Simcoe, ON.
Norfolk General Hospital
Norfolk General Hospital provides exceptional care to nearly 70,000 residents in Norfolk County and surrounding areas from before birth to end of life.
- Norfolk General Hospital is the largest healthcare facility in Norfolk County with 120 beds.
- In 2020, Accreditation Canada provided NGH with the highest accreditation award available - Accreditation with Exemplary Standing.
- Proud member of the Brantford, Brant, Norfolk Ontario Health Team.
- Supported by funding from the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation.
Internships at NGH
- Coffee Kiosk
- Maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Food Services
- Laundry Services
- Environmental Services
- Diabetes Clinic
Job Links
Job Links is a service which aims to help individuals prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Job Links can also assist with resume writing, interview skills, filling out applications and contacting possible employers. Once a person obtains employment, they can have support while at work to assist with daily tasks, communications with employer, or be available if needed. Job Links will work to help individuals become as independent as possible in a workplace setting.
Project | SEARCH Norfolk's Supported Employment Program Partner
NACL provides employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities who have or are looking to have meaningful employment opportunities as a part of living a full life in the community.
Job Links is a service which aims to help individuals prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.
Project | SEARCH Haldimand War Memorial
Haldimand War Memorial Hospital
- From its inception, Haldimand War Memorial Hospital was started to serve its community by providing the best possible health care for its residents. Through the years, and many changes later, they are proud to say that goal has remained the same. To provide high-quality, compassionate care.
- Haldimand War Memorial Hospital includes Edgewater Gardens a Long Term Care Facility and independent medical offices and services.
- Received Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada
- Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and Edgewater Gardens are commended for the exceptional leadership and delivery of acute care and long-term care services to their community.
- 22 Acute Care Beds, 13 Complex care beds and 2 Respite Care Beds.
- Services that are offered at HWHM include General Surgery, Endoscopy, minor Urology, Cataract Surgery, General x-ray, Computed Tomography (CT/CAT Scan), Ultrasound, Mammography / Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), Bone Density, Holter Monitors and Electrocardiogram (ECG). We are proud to be the only provider of Computed Tomography in Haldimand County.
- Visiting specialists also hold clinics in the newly renovated outpatient clinic space to provide a complete range of care for the community
Internships at HWMH
- Medical Device Reprocessing
- Shipping & Receiving/Mail
- Inpatient Unit
- Hospital Lab
- Maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Food Services
- Laundry, Environmental
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Outpatient Clinic
