Project SEARCH offers clients the opportunity to develop valuable and transferable work skills through an on-the-job vocational training program and job placement program.

Project SEARCH Goals: Our goals are to expose each intern to a range of jobs in hospitality, government, human services and other settings that offer training and development of meaningful transferable work skills. The Project SEARCH model empowers every participant to gain experience that will build their résumé; to make it possible for graduates to seamlessly move into a job development phase; and, to see graduates secure gainful employment. EBI’s support doesn’t end there. Once an individual is placed in a job, we provide on-the-job support and training for as long as needed.

Worksite Rotations: Interns build both academic and vocational skills through “hands-on” work experience in various departments throughout the host business. These paid student internships involve complex but routine tasks, such as assembly, clerical, data entry, food prep, laundry, courier, sterilization, stocking and environmental services. Project SEARCH graduates will have opportunities to participate in up to three departments during their training.

Typical Day for Project SEARCH Interns: Project SEARCH interns attend the internship program five days per week, Monday through Friday, typically from 9:00 a.m. until 3 p.m. with a 45-minute lunch. Each day includes 1.5 hours of classroom soft skill development and 3.5 hours of paid hands-on work experience.

Employment Outcomes: Project SEARCH has been instrumental in dramatically raising the bar for employment of individuals with developmental disabilities Nationwide data show an unemployment rate of 85% for individuals with disabilities. Graduates of Project SEARCH are earning, on average, 80% above the Federal minimum wage and 65% of them receive health benefits through their employers.

Project SEARCH Graduates have gone on to work for the following employers: Alameda County Public Defender’s Office, Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Public Health, Primus Power, Tiburcio Vasquez Medical Services, Ed Robert’s Campus, Alameda Alliance, Eden Medical Center, East Bay Innovations, Lowe’s, Nob Hill Foods, Child Unique Montessori, World Institute on Disability, Alameda County Law Library, La Clinica de la Raza, Macy’s, Safeway, and many more.

Project SEARCH Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 22 years of age by the specific program start date or graduated with a high school diploma, have an active case with the Regional Center of the East Bay, must be able to utilize public transportation and be able to meet the health, background and code of conduct criteria required by business site. Most importantly, applicants must have a commitment to work and demonstrate the ability to learn the tasks offered by the site with the available support of 1:4 ratio, and maintain excellent attendance and professionalism. Applicants will be reviewed and eligible applicants will be called to arrange interviews

 

County of Alameda Project SEARCH

The County of Alameda Project SEARCH is an internship program offered in collaboration with the Oakland Unified School District. Interns selected for this program will also be enrolled in the Oakland Adult & Career Education (OACE) Program, where they will continue to develop essential skills such as computer literacy, written communication, and professional workplace behaviors.

Classroom instruction is provided at the County of Alameda site by an OACE teacher. Additionally, job coaching support is funded by the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB) and delivered by East Bay Innovations. The program operates from February through January each year, allowing interns a full year to gain valuable experience.

Interns will participate in a variety of administrative tasks, including data entry, alphanumeric and digital filing, document scanning and indexing, and other office-based projects. Placement opportunities are available at various County departments, such as the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Social Services, and the County Library. These experiences give interns a closer look at the inner workings of local government and provide hands-on exposure to different career paths.

Project SEARCH Claremont

Located in the scenic Claremont Resort & Spa in Berkeley, this Project SEARCH site offers interns a one-of-a-kind opportunity to dive into the world of hospitality. Throughout their internship, participants will gain hands-on experience by supporting daily hotel operations while also developing key customer service skills.

Running from January to December each year, this program allows interns to take on a variety of roles. They might assist the housekeeping team, lend a hand in the kitchen alongside the chef, assemble amenities for guests, work with children in the resort’s childcare center, or support laundry operations by washing and folding linens. Interns can also work as locker room attendants in the spa, providing a behind-the-scenes look at this luxury service industry.

Project SEARCH Stoneridge Creek

Our newest paid internship program is designed to support the growth and development of talent within the retirement services industry. Modeled after the successful Project SEARCH approach, interns will spend part of each day in a classroom setting, building essential professional skills for long-term success. Over the course of the 11-month program, each intern will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in one department, gaining real-world experience and confidence in their role.

With on-site job coaching and ongoing support, interns receive a well-rounded, hands-on learning experience. Whether working in dining services, food preparation, resident activities, or housekeeping, participants will develop valuable skills that pave the way for future employment. The Stoneridge Creek internship runs from February through January, offering a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

Click here to download an application for Project SEARCH!