Cross Plains Community Partner and Shaw Industries Group have been recognized by Project SEARCH for attaining 100% employment for its 2015-2016 Project SEARCH internship program, an intensive work skills developmental program designed to facilitate a successful post high school transition to the workforce for young adults with disabilities. 

 

The award was received at the organization’s international conference in August where Project SEARCH practitioners, interns and families convene for a week of learning and sharing best practices and innovation. 

 

“Project SEARCH is one of the many ways we are helping to cultivate the workforce of tomorrow,” notes Paul Richard, vice president of human resources at Shaw. “It’s part of our commitment to creating a better future for our communities, associates, customers and the company.”

 

Shaw began its fifth internship class in June 2016. “The program’s success hinges upon dedicated employers like Shaw who place a priority on helping their associates achieve their full potential,” states Deborah Conway, executive director at Cross Plains.

 

Over nine months, the interns complete three 10-week rotations at Shaw departmental leadership and Cross Shaw in the marketing fulfillment, talent acquisition, and global sourcing departments. Participants experienced total workplace immersion, facilitating a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and relevant job-skills training. Plains Community Partner job coaches focused on delivering key skills in the areas of team building, technology, social skills/communication, presentation delivery, money management, interviewing, resume building, job searching and retention, self-advocacy and determination. 

 

Project SEARCH was created in 1996 at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children's to more than 300 sites across the United States and Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia. Project SEARCH's primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities, and with its business partners, works to facilitate high school transition programs for individuals with various developmental disabilities, such as visual and hearing impairments, autism and intellectual disabilities. 

 

Shaw initiated its first Project SEARCH internship program in 2012. Shaw’s participation in Project SEARCH takes place through collaborative partnership with Cross Plains Community Partner, Project SEARCH, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

For more information, visit projectsearch.us/.