Empowering Futures – Celebrating Project SEARCH Graduates

Project SEARCH proudly celebrated the graduation of its latest group of talented interns on 14 June at Dumfries and Galloway College’s Dumfries Campus Digital Hub. The event marked the successful completion of the year-long vocational programme designed to prepare young people with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions for competitive employment.

This year, nine interns aged 16+ completed the full-time course, integrating classroom instruction with hands-on work experience. Throughout the year, interns explored three different work roles, gaining valuable skills and confidence under the guidance of their tutors and job coaches.

Gillian Brydson, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Executive Director Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing, praised the graduates, saying, “These talented young people have shown remarkable dedication and resilience. The ongoing success of Project SEARCH highlights the positive impact of our council’s Employability and Skills Service and its collaboration with Dumfries and Galloway College. Their efforts have enabled the interns to embrace workplace challenges, develop new skills and grow in confidence. We are incredibly proud of the graduates’ achievements and look forward to seeing them thrive in their future careers.”

Project SEARCH partners, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Dumfries and Galloway College, have collaborated to provide a comprehensive support system for the interns. The programme’s success is reflected in the fact that two interns have already secured paid contracts with The Crichton Trust. Project SEARCH colleagues are actively engaging with another employer to establish paid employment for another intern, and conversations are ongoing with a further employer to explore potential vacancies.

Anne Clark, Dumfries and Galloway College’s Curriculum Manager Education and Access, said, ‘This year our Project SEARCH interns have really impressed with their resilience, dedication and hard work. It is important that we celebrate their amazing achievements, and we are excited to see what the next steps in their careers will hold for them. It also provides clear evidence that Project Search uses impactful approaches, that when delivered in a nurturing with real work opportunities, supports young people into employment.

One of the interns, Ally, shared their experience: “With the help and support of DFN Project SEARCH, I was able to grow. I improved my work skills through completing three workplace rotations. I can comfortably say that completing DFN Project Search has given me the confidence and skills to set me up for both my working life and personal life.”

All interns will continue to receive support post-programme through the council’s Employability and Skills team, ensuring they have the best possible chance to secure paid employment after their time with Project SEARCH ends.

Looking ahead, Project SEARCH is planning to expand its provision to the west of the region, in Stranraer. This expansion aims to reach more young people and provide them with the same valuable opportunities to gain employable skills and experience.

The Project SEARCH programme is a testament to the power of collaboration between education, training and work. It offers a unique blend of classroom-style learning and real-world experience, enabling interns to attain increased independence, improved confidence and a higher likelihood of securing and sustaining employment.

As the programme concludes another successful year, Project SEARCH is eagerly anticipating the start of its next cohort in August. The commitment of all partners involved continues to pave the way for a bright future for young people in the region.

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