Woolworths has marked a significant milestone with the opening of the 100th Mini Woolies, empowering the learning experiences of more than 8,100 young people with disabilities across Australia and New Zealand.
Over the last seven years, new sites have been established in every state and territory across Australia, from Darwin to Deloriane, and the programme has also expanded to New Zealand.
These simulated supermarket spaces within various educational settings (primary and secondary schools, TAFEs and disability service providers) help students practise new skills, with shelves stocked full of groceries, registers and baskets.
"It's incredible to see how far Mini Woolies has come since its launch in 2018. We started with a simple goal to create an engaging learning environment for young people with disabilities. Reaching 100 sites is a testament to all of the wonderful communities that have welcomed us across Australia and New Zealand,” said General Manager of Enterprise Operations and Mini Woolies at Woolworths Group, Sarah Corey.
"Whether it's for a maths class, cooking class or for practical experience in a retail qualification, we've seen the programme used in so many creative ways, and it's fantastic to see students and staff having fun and making the most of these spaces.
Corey added that none of this would be possible without the passionate support of the local Woolworths stores, whose generosity in hosting register training and setting up products on shelves is crucial to ensuring each Mini Woolies thrives.
The 100th site opened at Warringa Park School in Werribee, Victoria. Parents and guests joined students as they officially opened the converted classroom, which is fitted with two registers and features a Mini BIG W alongside the supermarket products.
“For Warringa Park School to get the opportunity to open a Mini Woolies is an incredibly exciting prospect,” said School Principal, Ashwini Sharma.
“We are dedicated to providing authentic learning opportunities to apply skills students have learnt at school to real-world contexts, to prepare them as they move to their post-school pathway. Having a space where they can learn to engage effectively with an authentic supermarket environment is critical to this growth.”
The Mini Woolies programme is supported by technology-partner, Fujitsu, who install and support onsite technology for every Mini Woolies.
Peter Grassi, CEO of Fujitsu Oceania, said Fujitsu understood that technology can make a positive difference in people's lives. This partnership with Woolworths allowed Fujitsu to apply its in-store technology know-how to build an immersive and engaging learning space, giving young people the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
