10 Years of Project SEARCH

East Sussex College celebrates 10 years of the Project SEARCH programme which has provided a one year supported internship for young people aged between 18-25 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Project SEARCH is a supported employment initiative for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Project SEARCH started in the USA in 1996 and is now being taken forward in Europe and the UK. Within the UK, Project SEARCH is essentially a joint project between a local authority, a local college or school and a host employer.

One of Project SEARCH’s most unique attributes is its emphasis on collaboration. Project SEARCH is driven by partnerships and a network of tutors, job coaches and job developers and business leaders that play an integral role in executing our goal of obtaining paid employment for individuals with disabilities.

Internships offer vital benefits to college students. Through diverse experiences, they explore career aspirations, acquire marketable skills, and gain confidence. They receive personalised instruction and build essential networks. Hosting interns also benefits businesses: they enhance work capacity, provide disability awareness training, and improve recruitment practices, boosting business profiles.

Stacey Beard, Project SEARCH Coordinator at East Sussex College, said, “I have had the pleasure of being a part of the Eastbourne programme since we started in 2014. Many of our interns following on from their internships have secured paid employment both at the Eastbourne District General Hospital and local businesses, of which four of our 2015 Graduates have been employed for almost 10 years at Eastbourne Hospital! Therefore, we are excited to continue the great work our Project Search has to offer and highlight the importance of a Supported Internship.”

For more information about Project SEARCH, please click here.