Project SEARCH Pioneer Manor helps students prepare for the world of work

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

Certificates of Internship were presented to this year’s Project SEARCH Pioneer Manor participants during a signing ceremony on October 7, 2026.

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

Nureein Bakr of Sudbury Secondary School has found a rewarding experience working with residents in the activity room. “It’s been nice getting to know residents and doing fun activities together like painting, colouring and talking,” she said. “When my internship is over, I would like to get a job as a social worker. I love to help people and give them advice.”

Wyatt Whitmore of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School is making the most of the opportunities he’s gaining through his internship. “I learned how to take a city bus by myself and I’ve been doing really well,” he said. “One day, I would like to get a job where I help people move things and lift heavy boxes.”

This year, ten students from Rainbow Schools will engage in three internships in various departments at Pioneer Manor. 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 skills trainers from March of Dimes Canada.

“We are delighted to welcome this year’s cohort of Project SEARCH participants to Pioneer Manor,” said Nicole Leclair, Director of Long-Term Care Services with the City of Greater Sudbury. “Our partnership with March of Dimes Canada and the Rainbow District School Board continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to develop valuable workplace skills and gain hands-on experience. We look forward to supporting their growth and celebrating their achievements throughout the program.”

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