Hands-on learning for students
Woolworths Group marked a major milestone last week, opening its 100th Mini Woolies at Warringa Park School in Werribee South.
Advertisement
The Mini Woolies initiative brings fully functional mini supermarkets into schools and disability services across Australia and New Zealand, helping students with disabilities build hands-on retail skills.
Each Mini Woolies is set up with stocked shelves, working registers, and uniforms, giving students practical experience in customer service, money handling, and inventory control.
The new Werribee South store includes two registers and even a Mini BIG W section. It’s designed to help students gain real-world skills and boost confidence.
Principal Ashwini Sharma says, “Having a space where students can engage with an authentic supermarket environment is critical to their growth. It allows them to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-world contexts, preparing them for life beyond school.”
Sarah Corey, General Manager of Enterprise Operations and Mini Woolies at Woolworths Group, says the program has come a long way since 2018. “Reaching 100 sites is a testament to all of the wonderful communities that have welcomed us across Australia and New Zealand.”
Over 8,100 young people with disabilities have been involved in the program so far. The success of Mini Woolies is credited to Woolworths team members, schools, and tech partners like Fujitsu, who help deliver and support the in-store technology.
The new Mini Woolies in Werribee South continues the program’s mission to make learning more inclusive and to open doors for future employment.
FOLLOW US
