About Project SEARCH Toronto

LEARN HOW TO APPLY

Project SEARCH is a unique training program for students with developmental or intellectual disabilities who want to transition from school to work (rather than pursuing post-secondary education).

The program takes place entirely in a workplace – University Health Network and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Students:

  • Participate in a variety of work experiences within the host business during three 10 week internships over 10 months.
  • Build transferable job-specific and employability skills.
  • Learn from individualized teaching, coaching and feedback – guided by a TDSB teacher and job & skills developers from Community Living Toronto.
  • Become independent and confident at work.
  • Link to employment support and other service agencies to take career next steps.
Information Sessions for 2025/26 school year

The Project SEARCH model

The Project SEARCH model was developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996 and has since spread to 750+ sites worldwide. The model boasts a strong success rate – about 65-70 percent of students secure quality employment within a year of graduation.

For more information on the history and story of Project SEARCH visit www.projectsearchcanada.ca .

Our partners

  • Business site hosts (UHN & Holland Bloorview)
  • Educational partner (TDSB)
  • Developmental services and employment support partner (Community Living Toronto).

United Way Greater Toronto’s Career Navigator program is an important partner for Project SEARCH Toronto. Career Navigator is the signature program of United Way’s 10 year Youth Success Strategy and promotes success for youth facing multiple barriers through interconnected education, training, job placement, soft skills and wrap-around supports.

Community Partners in the Project SEARCH Toronto initiative