During Week 10 of Term 2, Year 10 students from Our Lady of Mercy College participated in a practical work experience placement. This opportunity proved valuable in allowing students to explore a variety of industries and gain insight into the responsibilities required in a workplace.
Our Lady of Mercy College currently supports our largest cohort of Year 10 students, and this was met with a significant increase in engagement between local businesses and organisations, with 119 employers across the South West region, Geraldton and Perth hosting our students.
When asked to reflect on their week in the workplace, 94% of students surveyed enjoyed their placement with 64% looking to link a career to the industry they were engaged in. The College was proud to also learn that 36% of students were offered some form of employment by their host employer following their placement.
College Careers and Vocational Education and Training (VET) staff visited students in the workplace during their placement to speak with them and their supervisors/mentors.
A sample of the feedback from our students is below:
“I enjoyed learning more about Human Resources and the different roles there are in HR. I also enjoyed working with the people I was with and doing various activities in communications, HR, Admin, HR Business Partners and more.” Jemma Swadel, Inpex (Perth)
“I enjoyed finding out about different arteries and bones in the body that are only seen with an ultrasound machine and CT scans. SKG radiology provides a bunch of information and topics to discover.” Luke Fraser, SKG (Bunbury)
“I enjoyed it when I was given actual tasks e.g. new home wiring and wiring a shed.” Luke Blair, Nixon Electrics (Bunbury)
“I learnt how to deal with other people around me and working as a team with them. I found sport and science activities enjoyable.” Angus Gibb, Glen Huon Primary School (Eaton)
“I enjoyed being able to see what chemical engineering actually is and how different it is from what is described on the internet. It also helped that I was able to do site visits and actually see what a day in the life of an engineer may be like. I learnt many new things and was able to grasp bigger terms.” Elijah Hehir, Gexcon (Perth)
“I enjoyed being able to have an insight into what pharmacy is really like and learning about the man different types of medication.” Anne Epiro, Harvey Pharmacy (Harvey)
“I enjoyed working with all the staff and kids. It was really fun to take care of the kids and attend to their needs and confirmed for me on what I want to do for my future career.” Jordyn Edwards-Beazley, Brilliant Beginnings (Australind)
“I enjoyed the placement because I got to work with others that also had a passion for cars and performance vehicles.” George Pierce, Australind Automatics (Australind)
Likewise, our students made a lasting impression on their host employers:
“Lincoln was a model work experience candidate! His performance has been well above our expectations, and his prospects for future work are very positive.” Matt Denham, Beyond Games and Hobby (Bunbury)
“Alain stands out amongst our previous work experience students, his conscientiousness and enthusiasm towards tasks and humble nature, combined with his openness to query, make him well placed for a successful career within the high-performance engineering industry. Thanks Alain, and all the best for the future.” Shane Mowday, JMD Engineering (Bunbury)
“It was an absolute pleasure having Adi. She was always friendly, polite and considerate in her interaction with staff and clients. Adi contributed to long-term projects and enabled completion of it. We are thankful for her willingness and kind, positive attitude this past week. All the best for your future!” E. Le Roux, SPOTS Therapy for Children (Bunbury)
“Flynn is a quiet achiever and demonstrated enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Flynn learned how to use both AutoCAD and Inventor (CAD 3D modelling software) and was able to produce 2D drawings and 3D models. Flynn showed a respectful attitude and we wish him all the best with his future studies and career path choice.” Lindsay Barnard, RCR Mining Technologies (Bunbury)
“A very impressive young man. Trent was a pleasure to have here.” Ashley Sims, Tint City – Sign City WA (Bunbury)
“It was a pleasure having Sarah at Skin and Body Co. She is an enthusiastic and positive person. Sarah consistently shows initiative, she thinks ahead and asked helpful questions. The entire team have enjoyed her presence. We will miss her as she has helped us out significantly.” Bronaugh Bos, Skin and Body Co. (Eaton)
“It was an excellent experience to have Jenell here this week. Her initiative, software utilisation, pc skills, creativity and enthusiasm to jump in and give everything a go is very much appreciated.” Dani Hewton, Next Gen Wellness (Australind)
We are sincerely grateful for the developing partnerships between Our Lady of Mercy College and local businesses and would like to thank all of them for their generous support in providing placements for our students. We would also like to acknowledge their staff who assisted and mentored our students – their time and effort has contributed to a rich and meaningful learning experience.
We wish to acknowledge the contribution and support from the following businesses:
A1 Appliance Centre
ABN Group
Adonia Hair Studio
Advance Speech PLUS+
Annie's Angels Play and Development Centre
Anytime Fitness
Ausquip Industries
Australind Automatics
Australind Essential Grooming
Australind Mobile Mechanic
BCE Surveying
BES Electrical Solutions WA Pty Ltd
Beyond Games and Hobby
Body Firming and Beauty
Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto
Brilliant Beginnings
Brunswick Welding and Mechanical Solutions
BTS Solutions Pty Ltd
Buckingham Quality Butchers
Bunbury Cycles
Bunbury Drive-In Chemist
Bunbury Geotechnical & Laboratory Services
Bunbury Primary School
BVA Metal Fabrications
Cafe Merchant
Carbone Bros.
Central News Bunbury
CJD Equipment
Dolphin Discovery Centre
Down South Doggy Daycare
Eaton Community Pharmacy - AMCAL
Eaton Dental Centre
Eaton Pet Vet
Eaton Recreation Centre
Evedon Lakeside Retreat
Fulton Hogan Industries
Garfields Learnaversity Childcare
Gelorup Electrical Services
GENX Engineering
Gexcon
Glen Huon Primary School
Goodstart Early Learning Australind
Green Being Eco Store
Harradine & Associates
Harvey Farm Service
Harvey Pharmacy
Harvey Primary School
Harvey Tyrepower
Headspace Bunbury
Hussh Body and Soul Day Spa
Inpex
Inspired Results Coaching
J & Co Hair Studio
Jaliel Cleaning Co.
JMD Engineering
JSW Training and Community Services
Kent Lyon Architect
Leschenault Catholic Primary School
Little Explorers Early Learning
Mad Cycles
Max's Kennel Club
Melo Velo Bunbury
Milestones Early Learning
MN Accounting & Bookkeeping
Monadelphous Group
MSC Construction WA
Next Gen Wellness
Nixon Electrics
NV Engineering Pty Ltd
Online Childcare – Bushkids
Opposite Lock
Our Lady of Mercy College
Outloud Developmental
Parkfield Primary School
Pet City
Pharmacy 777
Physio Group South West - Collie
Physio Group South West - Harvey
Piacentini & Son
Premier Coal Limited
Professionals DAD Realty Australind
RCR Mining Technologies
Redwood Wealth Alliance
Rental Management Australia
Rethink Marketing
Riverlinks Child Care Centre
Roblynne Holsteins Dairy Farm
Roesner Pty Ltd
Scout About Doggie Day Care and Pet Care
Simcoa Operations
SKG Radiology
Skin & Body Collective
Smalls Bar
Solutions IT
South West Wellbeing Centre
South West Yamaha
Spartan Landscaping and Paving
SPOTS Therapy For Children
Spudshed Australind
St Anne's Primary School
Stantil Engineering
Stockman Holden
The Coffee Club Eaton Fair
The Nest Southwest
Thorpey's Painting
Tint City - Sign City WA
Treendale Primary School
Trek Fabrication
Tronox Pigments Australind
Truck & Machine Pty Ltd
Truck Centre WA - Bunbury
Turtle Cove Central
Unsunk Funk
VDW Electrical
Vivid Style
WA Strata Management
World Gym Bunbury
Worsley South 32
Yappy Days Doggy Daycare