Students gain work experience in a supportive environment

The team at Bundaberg social enterprise is running a work experience program for high school students with disability.

“This program enables students with intellectual disability to have the same opportunity to work, just like their friends and other school graduates,” said Employment Coach, Carol Charlton.

“The students work side by side with employees we support, with assistance from their teacher aids and under the instruction of a Production Team Leader.

“They start on packing potatoes and making six-pack cardboard caddies for Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.

“We set our people up for success, in a safe and monitored environment where they can explore their abilities and learn new skills, which can be utilised in other areas as they progress,” added Carol.  

​Student, Tarwin, has just started the program. His mates, Riley and Jackson, from Bundaberg Special School are already into their second term of work experience at the site. 

“I love working on the potatoes. I have to put the good ones in a bag, I then put them in the trolley to be weighed,” said Tarwin.

Jackson agreed. “I enjoy working on the onions. We put the onions on the sorting belt and pick out the bad ones. They then fall into a black crate, ready to stack.”

All three students enjoy the program, and encourage other school leavers to give it a go.

“It is fun,” said Riley. “You meet new friends and I get to see some of my old school friends. Everyone is friendly. I would like to work at Endeavour Foundation after I finish school.”

For employees and those in the program, working at Bundaberg social enterprise isn’t just an opportunity to gain valuable skills, but also an opportunity to contribute to a greater purpose.