Project SEARCH HSN helps students prepare for the workforce

An international program that helps students who require additional support prepare for the world of work is in its fifth year in Greater Sudbury thanks to an ongoing partnership between Rainbow District School Board, Health Sciences North, the City of Greater Sudbury and March of Dimes Canada.

Certificates of Internship were presented to the current group of Project SEARCH HSN participants during a signing ceremony at Health Sciences North on September 29, 2026.

A transition-to-work program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training, Project SEARCH helps students in their final year of high school develop skills required for employment.

Shekinah Ngenzi of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, who is part of the newest cohort of interns, is thrilled about his new placement. “I started working in outdoor maintenance,” he said. “It’s been really good. I am learning about communication, even how to deal with conflict. These skills are important and will help me be successful.”

He added: “Once my internship is over, I would love to work in a restaurant. I enjoy preparing and cooking food, and making people smile.”

Project SEARCH participant Connor Grignon of Lasalle Secondary School hopes to gain work experience. “One department I would like to work in is the pharmacy because I enjoy working with patients,” he said. “After my internship at HSN, I would enjoy working in the community and helping people any way that I can.”

This year, ten students from Rainbow Schools will engage in three internships in various departments at Health Sciences North. Placements are eight to ten weeks long and are determined by student interest and skill level. Internships are guided by experienced staff including a teacher from Rainbow District School Board and two job trainers from March of Dimes Canada.

“HSN is proud to continue our commitment to Project SEARCH as we welcome the fifth cohort of interns – working together to challenge outdated barriers and build a more inclusive workplace,” said Jessica Diplock, Vice-President, People and Culture at Health Sciences North. “Over the past four years, we’ve seen the valuable contributions the interns bring to many areas of our hospital. They are gaining hands-on work experience, confidence and new skills. Our teams have embraced the opportunity to support interns and learn from their experiences, and we look forward to continuing this important work together.”

Project SEARCH was launched in 1996 at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in an effort to promote a vibrant, inclusive workforce. To date, there are more than 600 Project SEARCH sites worldwide, including two in Sudbury.

“On behalf of Rainbow District School Board, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to March of Dimes Canada, Health Sciences North and the City of Greater Sudbury for their continued support of this valuable learning and employment opportunity for students in Rainbow Schools,” said Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bourget. “Since its inception, the program has achieved remarkable results, helping many students move into employment through the skills they develop, the relationships they establish, and the confidence they build along the way.”

He added: “Project SEARCH reflects the heart of our board’s mission: ‘Together we prepare students to become lifelong learners, achieving their full potential as confident, caring members of society.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217