'Thought it would be too hard': Students with a disability ready for hospitality workforce with official certification
Months of training and hard work has culminated in an official certification for a group of hospitality and catering students with a disability just across the ACT border. The recent graduates are now ready to step in to a school canteen to serve fresh food to kids in a unique arrangement which teachers say benefits everyone.
Transcript
00:00 Chopping, measuring and preparing food, these recently qualified hospitality workers are
00:09 on the clock getting things ready for the lunch rush at the Jerrabombra High School
00:13 canteen.
00:14 Coming to work makes me feel cheerful, having to have been treated normally and not have
00:20 any special treatment or anything.
00:22 I'm here, I can be myself, I don't have to like put a, you know, fake it to make it sort
00:27 of thing.
00:28 What makes this set up special is that the majority of these workers have a disability.
00:32 They say being trained and now employed has been an empowering experience.
00:37 Honestly I thought I wasn't going to get any training, only because like it is so hard.
00:41 And one that has opened up a world of possibilities.
00:44 Well I'd like to go travel around the world, try working in different places, try to make
00:52 some different food.
00:54 It's also showing students at the school what inclusivity looks like in practice.
00:58 Showing that people with disabilities can work, I guess, side by side in our school
01:03 setting.
01:04 There were plenty of tears from proud parents and grandparents as seven employees graduated
01:08 this week from a state government funded program that saw them obtain their Certificate 3 in
01:13 hospitality.
01:14 The growth in each of these individuals has been astounding.
01:18 The program was modified to focus on the practical.
01:21 Anyone who has trouble reading and writing, we were able to do role playing or take video
01:26 footage or photo evidence.
01:28 There are hopes the scheme can be replicated elsewhere.
01:31 But more businesses need to come on board to ensure fair, equal opportunities for all.
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