Our Lady of Mercy College Career Services staff have been visiting businesses in the region that have supported the following College programs:
Workplace Learning
Year 10 Work Experience
Vocational Education & Training Industry Hours for VETDSS Certificate courses
To show our gratitude, the team have been dropping off a Christmas card and thank you gift to each business, acknowledging their contribution to providing real-world learning experiences for our students.
Throughout the year, we have worked closely with 150 host businesses that have provided students with placements.
Please scroll down to see a list of the generous businesses that have supported our students on their learning journeys.
Workplace Learning and Year 10 Work Experience – Learning on the job!
2023 has presented our students with some excellent opportunities to learn and explore jobs and careers through Workplace Learning and Work Experience programs. We have also seen students access traineeships and apprenticeships as a result of their hard work in those programs.
Year 10 Work Experience was highly valued by our students and they provided some fantastic feedback on their placements. Olivia Mumme (Year 10) summed up the value of her experience:
"Year 10 Work Experience in 2023 was AWESOME!! For my work experience, I rotated through various health-related careers within the EarBus Foundation. I saw it as trying the free samples at the Farmers Market - I got to have a taste of each career and what they had to offer. On my first day, I observed a surgeon as he gave referrals at SWAMS.
I was lucky enough to spend my next two days at Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School, where I mainly assisted with EarBus activities to help the children's hearing. I especially enjoyed my time at the school. I learnt a LOT, not only about health-related careers but also culturally too. I got to sing a Noongar version of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' which was just so beautiful. Seeing children have the ability to connect to their culture was probably my favourite part.
Next, I got to assist with newborn baby screening. The babies were only a few hours old, and they were such cuties. On my last day, I got to explore work at a physiotherapy clinic, which was so much fun; I even participated in a Pilates class, which I've seen middle-aged women do on the internet! It was... eventful, and I think it's a fun way to stay fit! I am super grateful for my experience and very thankful to both Mr Briers and his legendary team, as well as EarBus, for having me. No amount of Farmers Market free samples compare to the true taste I had in Work Experience to help with my career."
This year, our students have completed 7,353 hours of Work Placement within the Years 10 – 12 Workplace Learning programs. We had 83 students engaged in these programs, with a breakdown of 42 Year 10 students, 27 Year 11 students and 14 Year 12 students.
For the Year 10 students, the program provides them with valuable experiences that will also assist them with subject selection and study options for Year 11.
112 Year 10 students participated in the Year 10 Work Experience week in Term 2. Collectively, they completed approximately 3,000 hours of work experience during the week.
Without the valued assistance and support of the local business community our students would not have had the opportunity to learn about the fantastic career opportunities available to them.
This is some of the feedback from our Year 10 students who participated in the program:
“I enjoyed having my independence. The environment I was around was fun and very welcoming, not only for the children being tutored but also for me as a work experience student.” Ashlyn
“I really enjoyed my work placement and learning new skills in working with young kids. I enjoyed making connections and relationships with the kids and helping them through the week in social activities, learning and trying new things.” Zoe
Students also spoke about the skills they developed during the placement:
“During my work experience, I have learnt that communication is key to a healthy environment. Working with children made me think and make decisions faster. I learnt that being nervous is completely normal which has made me less nervous.” Alexandra
“Communication, planning and organising, and initiative.” Emmasyn
We strongly encourage Year 9 students moving into Year 10 in 2024, to start contacting businesses to start organising a placement for Week 10 of Term 2.
The College looks forward to further developing strong relationships within our community and providing opportunities for our students to engage in real-world learning experiences in the future.
For more information on Workplace Learning and Year 10 Work Experience week, please contact the Career Services Team.
We are very grateful to the following host employers for providing our students with industry-based learning placements in 2023:
Allanson Primary School |
Allure Beauty |
Amaroo Primary School |
Annie's Angels Play and Development Centre |
Arise Racing |
Aspire Physiotherapy |
Ausquip Industries |
Australind Dental Centre |
Australind Essential Grooming |
Australind Mobile Mechanic |
Australind Primary School |
Barry Allen Electrical Services |
BCE Surveying |
Beer Industries Group |
Bell Fire Equipment Company Pty Ltd |
Bengineering Transport Equipment |
BESC Engineering Electrical |
Boulevard Café |
Brilliant Beginnings Childcare |
Brunswick Electrical Services (BES) |
Bunbury Flying School |
Bunbury Physiotherapy Centre |
Bunbury Tyrepower |
Bunnings Australind |
BVA Metal Fabrications |
CARNAC |
Central Garage |
Chemwise Australind Pharmacy |
CJD Equipment |
Coalfields Museam Collie |
Collie Garden Centre |
Dale Alcock Homes |
Dalyellup Primary School |
Dalyellup Vet Clinic |
Danny Pangrazio |
Dardanup Primary School |
DBCA's Parks & Wildlife Service - Wellington District |
Dentistry on Marlston |
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety |
Diesel Force |
Dolphin Discovery Centre |
Down South Doggy Daycare |
Earbus Foundation of WA |
Eaton & Bunbury Vet Clinic |
Eaton Dental Centre |
Eaton Hair Salon |
Eaton Primary School |
Ekera Dental Pty Ltd T/A Forrest Avenue Dental Centre |
Elite Fabrication |
Express Print |
Fiegert Electrical & Communication |
Ford & Doonan Air Conditioning |
Forkwest |
Fresh Floral Studio |
GENX Engineering |
Glen Huon Primary School |
Goodstart Early Learning Eaton |
GR Electrical |
GT Fabrication |
Guardians of Happiness |
Harley Dykstra Planning & Survey Solutions |
Harper Street Bakery |
Harradine & Associates |
Harrisons Southwest |
Hotweld Fabrication |
Hussh Body and Soul Day Spa |
Ian Guppy & Co Smash Repairs |
IB & J Orr Pty Ltd |
Inclusive Minds Tutoring |
J&CO Hair Studio |
J&H Fielder Plumbing |
Kent Lyon Architect |
Kev's Country Meats |
Kidz Cottage |
Kingston Primary School |
Leaps and Bounds Preschool |
Leschenault Catholic Primary School |
Little Explorers Early Learning |
Localsco |
Mainline Plumbing |
Max's Kennel Club |
McDonald's Eaton |
McDonald's Treendale |
MCG Architects |
Millards Bunbury |
Monadelphous Engineering Associates |
MSWA |
Mymech |
Nixon Electrics |
Orontide Engineering Bunbury |
PA and DR Piavanini |
Parkfield Primary School |
Perth Wake Park |
Pete's Collie |
Petstock Vet |
Physio Group South West - Australind |
Physiotherapy Posture & Pilates |
Piacentini & Son |
Picton Civil |
Pinners Electrical Service |
Plumbers & Gasfitters Bunbury |
Professionals DAD Realty Australind |
RCR Mining Technologies |
Redyaz Field Services |
Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Harvey |
Riverlinks Childcare Centre |
Scope Industrial Automation |
Scout About Doggie Day Care and Pet Care |
Shire of Dardanup |
Shire of Waroona |
Simcoa Operations |
SKG Radiology |
South 32 Worsley Alumina |
South West Fire |
South West Women's Health & Information Centre |
Southern Ports |
Sportmarine Boat Centre |
Spudshed Australind |
St Anne's Primary School |
St Brigid's School Collie |
St Mary's Catholic Primary School |
St Matthew's School Narrogin |
St Michaels Catholic Primary School |
TC Construction |
Terry White Chemmart |
The Coffee Club Eaton Fair |
The Crooked Carrot |
The Griffin Coal Mining Company Pty Ltd |
The Health Hub at Eaton Fair |
Thompson Surveying Consultants |
Treendale Primary School |
Tronox Pigments Australind |
True Revolution Automotive |
Two 9 One Design |
ValleyView Residence |
Verve Landscapes |
Vinnies Australind |
Vivid Style |
WA Country Health Services - South West |
WA Police & Community Youth Centres (PCYC) |
Water Corporation Bunbury |
White Building Company |
Whitey's Tackle & Camping |
Wholesale Flowers Bunbury |
Wilson Park Primary School |
WJD Electrical |
Wolfe Systems |
World Gym Bunbury |
Worley Power Services |
Yarloop Primary School |