The City of Vaughan is the first municipality in York Region to host Project SEARCH

Municipalinfonet.com
Dec. 13, 2022

As a progressive municipality, the City of Vaughan has a goal to foster a fully accessible community by 2025. This includes creating an inclusive workplace where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can thrive. The City recognizes people with disabilities continue to face challenges when looking for work, seeking workplace accommodations and trying to advance their careers – steps are being taken to break down these barriers by opening doors for new employment, offering training opportunities and supporting career growth. One example is through the City’s involvement with Project SEARCH.

Project SEARCH is an internationally successful transition-to-work program for students with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The program focuses on preparing students in their final year of high school who can benefit from personalized support in an intensive year of career development and internship experience.

Since launching in 1996, Project SEARCH has more than 650 sites worldwide, including six in Canada. Vaughan is the first municipality in York Region to be a host business for the program. The initiative is a proud partnership with the York Catholic District School Board and Community Living York South.

Here’s how the one-year program works: The school board provides a dedicated classroom teacher to deliver an employability skills curriculum, supports transit training in conjunction with York Region Transit and liaises with host business departments. The City provides mentorship, on-site training rooms and internship programs. Community Living York South provides skilled trainers to support interns in the training room and on the job during their internship rotations.

In September, eight students attended a class at Maple Community Centre to learn the employability skills curriculum. In October, the first internship opportunity began within the following City departments:

• Animal Services, By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services
• Facility Management
• Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
• Office of the City Clerk
• Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations
• Recreation Services
• Transportation and Fleet Management

The second set of work placements will take place from January to March 2023. A third round of internships will run from April to June 2023. Project SEARCH interns will graduate from the program in June 2023.

In recognition of the City’s progressive efforts, a special ceremonial presentation took place at today’s Council meeting. Project SEARCH is one of the many initiatives the City has undertaken to advance accessibility, promote diversity and foster an inclusive community.

To learn more about the City’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, visit vaughan.ca/DEI.