Project SEARCH

On-the-job training for young people with disability

Are you or, do you know, a young person with disability looking for avenues to stable and rewarding employment in Brisbane? Our immersive Project SEARCH program at the Wesley supports young people aged 17-28 to learn about work from the inside out.

Delivered in partnership with UnitingCare, Project SEARCH provides unpaid internships for people with a variety of developmental disabilities – such as intellectual disability, autism, visual and hearing impairments and more – so they can develop workplace skills, increase independence, confidence and self-esteem, and ultimately secure rewarding jobs.

Our on-the-job training is supported by UnitingCare’s dedicated on-site Project SEARCH team, who work closely with our interns and staff to provide a seamless blend of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training,

The Project SEARCH program

At the Wesley, the Project SEARCH program includes:

• Three 11-week internship rotations within the hospital, over 12 months.
• A variety of roles and tasks in areas such as hospitality, housekeeping, patient admissions and reception, medical records, pharmacy, hospital accounts, clinical sterilisation units, wards clerk, orderlies, warehousing and stores, or other areas of interest.
• Work-based coaching, instruction and feedback.
• Support to transition into open employment.