Earlier this year, graduating Year 12 student Daniel began some small work experience visits to our local Mornington Bunnings as part of their DIY Teen Trade Program. This is an outreach program run by Bunnings to encourage school students to learn about trades in a fun, hands-on and engaging way.
Students are invited in-store to work on DIY projects like building a flat pack, potting plants from the garden section, painting items etc. Students then have the opportunity to donate these items back to the school – something Daniel has been very excited to do as a way of leaving his mark at MacKillop.
So far, on his trips to Bunnings, Daniel has completed lots of different activities and DIY projects with the help of MacKillop and Bunnings staff. On one of his recent trip he completed an 8 cube ‘Cubie’ flat
pack which he has said he would like to give to Mrs Howard for her office so she can organise all of her VET paperwork. Other visits have included working in the garden section, watering plants, putting stock away and greeting customers.
This DIY Teen Trade Program has been extended to some of our Year 10 students who have been invited to return in late Term 4 to build some new equipment for our new Year 11 and 12 space they can enjoy
starting next year. We hope that even though Daniel will have finished his studies with us at MacKillop, he
would be happy to come and give them a hand with all the skills he has learnt.
A huge thank you to the Activities Organiser at Bunnings Mornington, Lindy Jackson, for making this
opportunity possible for Daniel. Lindy has been a great support to MacKillop in making sure Daniel can
access as many areas as possible and never has a dull day while at Bunnings. Thank you also to our fantastic Learning Enhancement Team who have assisted in making this dream possible.
Daniel has been a valued work experience member during his time at Bunnings and has gotten to know
so many of the staff and regular customers. He hopes to take his work at the Mornington Bunnings further and gain some part to full time work with the crew, working and doing what he loves.
Whether you’re at Bunnings to grab some paint, pick out a new pot plant or just grabbing a classic Bunnings sausage, if you see Daniel – make sure you say hi!
Sarah Gurney – Careers and Pathways Planning Advisor
