The Mai-Wel Group has officially opened a new Mini Woolies site at Mai-Wel Enterprises in Telarah, offering a hands-on training space to help people with disabilities develop job-ready skills.

The site, launched earlier this month, was unveiled by representatives from Woolworths, Mai-Wel CEO John Cleary, General Manager of Employment Services Kyllie Tegg, and dual Paralympian Rae Anderson.

The new Mini Woolies simulates a real supermarket environment, complete with Woolworths-branded baskets, shelves, and registers. Participants can practice operating registers, managing stock, and interacting with customers – skills essential for building confidence and competence in a retail setting.

As the 76th Mini Woolies location across Australia and New Zealand, the site highlights Woolworths’ commitment to providing innovative educational resources.

” We’re excited to expand our Mini Woolies program with the Mai-Wel Group, opening a brand-new site that joins a network of over 74 locations across Australia and New Zealand. We hope the site will support young people with disability, building their confidence and independence for experiences in the future.,” Sheila O’Reilly, Head of Delivery, Service Operations and Infrastructure at Woolworths Group said.

John Cleary, CEO of Mai-Wel, praised the partnership. “We are thrilled to launch this innovative learning space, which is a key step forward in our mission to provide practical experiences that truly empower our participants.”

“Our partnership with Woolworths allows us to offer an educational resource that will have a profound and lasting impact on our participants’ lives, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed,” he said.

 “Our collaboration with Woolworths and Fujitsu on the Mini Woolies project is a testament to the power of partnerships in creating meaningful employment pathways for people with disabilities. “This initiative not only equips our participants with essential employability skills and confidence, but also opens the doors to real opportunities with our industry partners. Together we are building a future where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive in the workforce,” Kyllie Tegg, General Manager, Employment Services, The Mai-Wel Group said.

Participants at the Mini Woolies site will gain valuable experience, preparing them for potential employment within the Woolworths Group or other retail environments. This initiative is part of Mai-Wel’s broader strategy to create meaningful employment pathways for individuals of all abilities.

IMAGE | CEO John Cleary, and Sheila O’Reilly, Head of Delivery, Service Operations and Infrastructure at Woolworths Group, together with participants in the initial program