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 second 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 group of Project SEARCH Pioneer Manor participants during a signing ceremony on October 1, 2025.

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.

“I heard about Project SEARCH at a guidance meeting at my school,” said Bennett Radey of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. “I thought it would be good to receive job experience. It was the best sounding opportunity.”

He added: “I look forward to working with the residents, treating people with kindness and compassion, and also contributing to the home itself in any way that I can.”

This year, eight 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 job trainers from March of Dimes Canada.

“It’s an honour to welcome a second cohort of participants to Pioneer Manor this year,” said Nicole Leclair, Director of Long-Term Care Services with the City of Greater Sudbury. “We are proud to be part of the remarkable Project SEARCH initiative and value our partnership with the March of Dimes and the Rainbow District School Board. We look forward to supporting these talented individuals and witnessing their growth throughout this journey.”

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 the Rainbow District School Board, I extend sincere gratitude to March of Dimes Canada and the City of Greater Sudbury for supporting this important learning and working opportunity for students in Rainbow Schools,” said Director of Education Bruce Bourget. “The program has experienced tremendous success since its inception because of the skills learned, the connections built and the confidence gained.”

He added: “Project SEARCH speaks to the 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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