Seven Students Complete School-to-Workplace 'Project SEARCH' Program with Consumers Energy

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy celebrated the graduation of seven students from Jackson County Intermediate School District who completed the Project SEARCH program. This initiative helps students with developmental disabilities transition from school to the workplace by providing a year of hands-on training. These students, aged in their late teens, gained valuable work experience through job rotations at the company's various facilities. Angela Thompkins, Vice President of Community Affairs at Consumers Energy, emphasized the program's success and the hope it inspires for other employers to offer similar opportunities. Project SEARCH aims to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities and has been running in partnership with Consumers Energy for six years. The company plans to continue and expand the program, aiming to provide full-time jobs for some participants in the future.

Positive

• Seven students with developmental disabilities gained hands-on workplace experience.
• Students rotated through various job roles, gaining diverse skills.
• Consumers Energy has partnered with Project SEARCH for six years.
• The program aims to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities.
• Plans to continue and expand the program with the potential for full-time jobs for participants.

Negative

• No direct financial gains or cost savings mentioned from the program.
• Lacks specific data on the number of participants who secured employment post-program.

JACKSON, Mich., May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today celebrated the accomplishments of seven Jackson County Intermediate School District students with developmental disabilities who completed a unique experience that moves them from the classroom to the workplace.

The students graduated from Project SEARCH, a model program that provides students with firsthand training and knowledge for the last year. The students, all in their late teens, rotated through different jobs with the company and came away with experience that better prepares them for the workplace.

"Before I came into Project SEARCH, I had severe anxiety and some mood disability and lacked work environment experience. Once I entered Project SEARCH, a whole new world opened. I have learned not to carry my load of anxiety wherever I go," said Noah Cantrell, one of the Project SEARCH interns. "All the teams I have worked with this year have given me new skills that I can use in the future. Project SEARCH helped me overcome so many fears and problems. I am stronger and more capable than day one here."

"We are so proud of these students and are confident their experience at Consumers Energy can help open doors for their bright futures," said Angela Thompkins, Consumers Energy's vice president of community affairs and chief diversity officer. "We hope our partnership with the Jackson County ISD can inspire other employers to provide similar opportunities to others who, like these students, only need a chance."

This is the sixth year Consumers Energy and the ISD partnered for Project SEARCH, a national program that aims to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Students worked in the company's headquarters in Jackson and its nearby Parnall facility, where they learned and performed entry-level work across departments.

"Project SEARCH teaches much more than the critical skills needed in the workplace, it's a valuable program aimed at creating confidence, instilling pride and making connections with others," said Megan Hall, a Project SEARCH Instructor with Jackson County ISD. "The students who participate in this program always amaze me with the amount of growth they gain from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Their smiles and positive attitudes are contagious, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of such a wonderful program."

Consumers Energy plans to continue Project SEARCH next year and beyond, with a goal of providing full-time jobs for some participants.

"We are blessed with so many talented people in the communities we serve, and are proud we can take part in Project SEARCH to create pathways that don't always exist," Thompkins said.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is Project SEARCH at Consumers Energy?

Project SEARCH at Consumers Energy is a program that provides hands-on workplace experience to students with developmental disabilities, aiming to secure competitive employment for them.

How long has Consumers Energy partnered with Project SEARCH?

Consumers Energy has partnered with Project SEARCH for six years.

What kind of experience did the students gain in the Project SEARCH program?

Students gained diverse job skills through rotations in various departments at Consumers Energy's facilities.

What are the future plans of Consumers Energy for Project SEARCH?

Consumers Energy plans to continue and expand the Project SEARCH program, aiming to provide full-time jobs for some participants.

Who can benefit from the Project SEARCH program?

Students with developmental disabilities benefit from Project SEARCH by gaining skills and confidence for competitive employment.