Two Project SEARCH Sites Achieve 100 Percent Job Placement Rate

The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), in partnership with Project SEARCH, is pleased to celebrate a remarkable milestone in its mission to support individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful employment. Across Georgia, there are 25 Project SEARCH sites, each aiming to place at least 70 percent of its graduates in jobs within nine months of graduation. Notably, two sites have exceeded those expectations, achieving a 100 percent job placement rate well ahead of the nine-month target.

Project SEARCH site: Shaw Industries

Located in Cartersville, Georgia, Shaw Industries, a flooring and surface solution company, is one of the Project SEARCH sites that achieved a 100 percent job placement rate last year. Six interns successfully completed their training through the program. Two of these graduates were offered positions at Shaw Industries, while the remaining four found employment in the hospitality and food service industries.

Classroom and Hands-On Experience

"We meet interns where they are, recognizing that everyone learns differently. We use fun tools like trivia bingo to reinforce lessons and keep training engaging. On the job, mentors are supported by both the Skills Instructor and Skills Trainer to ensure consistent guidance." says Skills Instructor Lisa Chadd.

The program combines classroom instruction with real-world experience. In the classroom, interns learn essential job skills such as interview techniques, resume writing, budgeting, creating documents, writing professional emails, and designing PowerPoint presentations. Throughout the program, interns learn valuable job skills in the classroom portion of the program. In addition to classroom learning, interns receive hands-on training with mentors at Shaw Industries. They participate in departmental "rotations," gaining practical experience in areas such as:

• Shipping
• Receiving
• Manufacturing
• Box Assembly/Inventory
• Mailroom
• Marketing
• IT

Throughout the 10-week internship, interns are fully supported. Each intern participates in a Pre-Employment meeting with their instructor and mentor counselor at both the start and end of the program. These meetings focus on reviewing progress, setting employment goals, and discussing feedback for improvement.

Project SEARCH Site: Archbold Medical Center

Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, Georgia, is the second site to reach a 100 percent job placement rate. Three interns completed the program and one secured employment at Archbold in the Medical Records Department.

GVRA provided critical support by offering Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Most interns began on the pre-ETS caseload before transitioning to the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) caseload. Once enrolled in VR, GVRA counselors partnered with Joshua Tree Services Group to deliver additional pre-employment support. GVRA also provided uniforms for all interns.

Focused Support for Young Adults

“Having Project SEARCH as an opportunity for our students has been a game changer for the future of more than 50 young adults in our town,” said Ashley Finch, Project SEARCH Instructor. “These young adults have been able to participate in hands-on work experiences that not only lead to a job but grow into lifelong career opportunities.”

The site primarily serves students who are 18 years old and have deferred graduation. Interns meet weekly to focus on pre-employment skills and receive consistent coaching from Finch. Finch provided training on practical workplace behaviors such as clocking in and out, using paid time off (PTO), and developing self-advocacy skills in a professional setting.

Ashley Toomy from Joshua Tree Services Group also worked closely with students needing additional support in specific areas.

Hands-On Experience Through Department Rotations

Interns gain valuable, real-world experience by participating in 23 unique departmental rotations at Archbold Medical Center. These rotations offer hands-on training and one-on-one mentorship, allowing interns to explore different career paths and build a strong foundation for future employment.

Some of the internship rotations include:

• Patient Care Technician
• Lab Records Scanning/Room Preparation
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Physical Therapy
• Medical Records
• Food Service
• Patient Transport

The success at Shaw Industries and Archbold Medical Center highlights the impact of the Project SEARCH program. By providing interns with meaningful work experiences, these programs help foster independence and build a solid foundation for long-term employment. Through strong partnerships with employers, GVRA, and organizations like Joshua Tree Services Group, Project SEARCH continues transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities across Georgia.