Unique training program builds workforce inclusion

Congratulations

to all of the Graduates!

 

decorative balloons

Nine Toronto District School Board (TDSB) graduates from the Project SEARCH Toronto program are excited to receive their certificates and start their post-high school careers this June 2024. 

Since 2019, each year 8-10 TDSB students with disabilities in their final year of high school have been attending employment skills classes and completing three 10-week placements at University Health Network (UHN) and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Holland Bloorview) resulting in more than 750 hours of training each. The goal of the program is for graduates to find paid employment within 1 year of graduation. Graduates receive job search and employment support from Community Living Toronto (CLTO) with funding from United Way Greater Toronto. 

Our impact:

  • 75% of graduates from the 2019/20 to 2022/23 classes gained employment (85% of those who maintained availability to work)
  • UHN and Holland Bloorview hired almost 50% of graduates
  • Graduates have been hired into roles including: environmental services, food/nutrition services, materials management, linens, patient and materials portering, customer service, clerical assistance, child care
  • Graduates’ wages have consistently been at least $2-$3 above minimum wage on average

Partnerships and mentorship drive this impact:

  • The training program is collaboratively operated by TDSB, CLTO, UHN and Holland Bloorview.
  • Sodexo Canada provides food and environmental services at Holland Bloorview. Sodexo champions Project SEARCH by providing placements during the training year and also as an inclusive employer hiring from this talent pool.
  • Unity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Scarborough Health Network (SHN) Centenary Hospital each trained 3 of the 2024 graduating students from April-June
  • Project SEARCH Toronto is extremely grateful to the staff of Sodexo, SHN, Unity Health, UHN and Holland Bloorview who mentor students as they learn job skills, helping them on their path to employment.

Please join the Project SEARCH Toronto partners in congratulating the entire Class of 2024 on their hard work and achievements this year.

Through the efforts of multiple partners and hospital sites, students have gained valuable work skills and are ready to work!  Please contact Project SEARCH Toronto at projectsearchtoronto@tdsb.on.ca if you would like to get involved or have a job opportunity you would like to share.  Thank you!

There are 13 Project SEARCH programs in Ontario in 2023/24 and there will be 19 in 2024/25 – learn more at www.projectsearchcanada.org

Enter Project SEARCH Canada Site

Shaad Dawood Student Profile

Placement

Location

Learning

Materials Management Department

UHN’s Toronto Rehab Lyndhurst Centre

  • Use first-in-first-out principles for stocking and picking
  • Replenish medical products at nursing stations on inpatient/outpatient units

Transportation Services

Patient Porter

UHN Toronto General Hospital

  • Safe transfer techniques to move patients from bed to wheelchair/stretcher bed
  • Transport patients (some on oxygen) to various clinics/departments – wayfinding throughout downtown hospital system
  • Communicate with nursing/transport staff to ensure patient safety and schedule
  • Learn hospital software for managing transport

Hired into paid employment after 2nd placement April 2024 – Patient and Materials Porter

UHN Toronto General Hospital

  • Currently employed and safely transporting patients and materials around the hospital as required

Yones Warsame Student Profile

Placement

Location

Learning

 

Nutrition Services Team

 

UHN’s Toronto Rehab Lyndhurst Centre

 

  • Collect and dismantle patient meal trays
  • Wash dishes using industrial machines
  • Portion food into containers
  • Call out meals for beltline distribution

 

Sodexo Food Services

 

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

  • Move, count and refill products
  • Food and customer service including cash register operation

Nutrition & Food Service Department

Scarborough Health Network’s Centenary Hospital

  • Dismantle trays and process utensils and dishes in industrial washers

Yones’ Employment Goal:  To find paid employment in a commercial kitchen or catering agency preferably in Scarborough or the east side of Toronto.