Project SEARCH
Helping young people and school leavers on the pathway to employment, through inclusive internships and coaching.
Welcome to Project SEARCH! Our transition to work program equips young adults and school leavers aged 18-25 who have NDIS plans with capacity building goals, to gain foundational skills and work experience to get started in the workforce.
Research shows 70-100% of Project SEARCH interns go on to find long term paid work in open employment after the programs conclusion, earning at or above minimum wage, for 16+ hours a week.
Project SEARCH: pathway to open-market paid employment
Project SEARCH combines employment preparation with hands-on training, observational work experience, and skills development. Participants must have an NDIS plan that includes core or capacity building supports focused on employment goals.
Inclusive internships equip eligible 18-25 year olds to use their NDIS funding to acquire the foundational skills and work experience they need to get started in the workforce. Internships comprise three rounds of 12-week unpaid internships, with two weeks break in between each round, at the same host employer.
The program provides opportunities within workplaces that are large enough to offer multiple learning opportunities, across several departments, along with ongoing support from WISE Employment coaches t provide coaching and mentoring each day.
Once internships conclude, the expectation is for 70-100% of interns to find long-term paid work in open employment, earning at or above minimum wage, for 16+ hours a week.
Please contact Cherie Valentine to find out more
Mobile: 0438 170 227
Email: [email protected]
Internship structure, support, training and goal
Interns will engage in three rounds of 12-week internships (having two weeks break in between each round) with the same host employer, gaining valuable experience in various departments such as:
- Human Resources
- Learning and Development
- Recruitment
- Payroll
- Accounts payable/receivable
- IT
- Marketing
- Customer Service
Support, coaching and training for interns
Throughout their journey, interns are supported by on-site WISE Employment coaches who prioritise participants wellbeing and development. Our program offers:
- Observational work experience
- Hands on job training
- Soft skills training and foundation skills development in areas such as communication, teamwork and problem solving
Project SEARCH goal: open market, paid employment beyond internships
Project SEARCH supports interns to secure paid employment in open employment after completing their internships. Once they finish, interns will have an additional 9 months to work with their support team to achieve permanent employment.
Now recruiting Project SEARCH interns
WISE Employment, as Project SEARCH partner, is actively recruiting for interns to be placed with multi-department host employers.
Intern eligibility:
- Are between 18-25 years old
- Have an NDIS plan that includes core or capacity building supports that can be used for the achievement of employment related goals
- Live in Project SEARCH locations of Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide
- Have access to reliable transport, including public transport
- Be available to participate on a full-time basis during the full internship period
Contact Cherie Valentine to find out more or register your interest.
Mobile: 0438 170 227
Email: [email protected]
Our employers
Project SEARCH is now underway in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide! Our host employers include:
- NSW - Concord Repatriation General Hospital
- VIC - Jarrah Integrated Services
- SA - Calvary Adelaide Hospital
- SA - City of Playford
Each employer offers the experience of 3 rotations within 3 different departments.