Completing tasks such as cleaning barbecues at Corrimal Tourist Park was ‘’fun’’ for Corrimal High School students Kyle McConnell and Nathanial Giddings.
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The Year 9 students were part of the Workers of Wollongong program, which provides work experience for students with disability in different work settings.
Over the past month, 12 students with disability from Corrimal HS, Keira High School and The Smith St Unit, have been working at the Wollongong City Tourist Parks gaining invaluable work experience, preparing them for the work force.
Department of Education regional transition teacher Merryl Bennett said the WoW program aim was to progress students to a stage where they do independent work experience in the future.
‘’The program has been running for 10 years,’’ she said.
Acting Wollongong Lord Mayor David Brown said the program offers invaluable experience in a variety of work.
‘’Council’s tourist parks were able to offer a broad range of experiences that will help students further their abilities for work after high school,’’ Cr Brown said.
Students were supervised by both Tourist Park and Department of Education staff when undertaking a range of work activities including gardening, washing down of on-site cabins, deep cleaning of barbecues and camp kitchen, restocking of linen in the commercial laundry and consumables in cleaning trollies.
Ms Bennet said students build confidence and self-esteem to attempt new tasks while working in a positive supportive environment.
They also developed a deeper understanding of Workplace Health and Safety and Protective Equipment on a work site and the importance of working effectively as part of a team.
Students have completed work experience at Fire and Rescue NSW, the RSPCA, Woonona Bulli RSL, Illawarra Yacht Club, Wollongong Golf Club and Woolworths during previous WoW programs.