A new program at Yarraville Special Developmental School is helping dozens of students gain valuable life and work skills.
The Growing Great Graduates career skills program is helping senior students learn a range of potential work skills, such as gardening, car washing and pamphlet delivery.
Assistant principal Davina D’Menzie said a grant of almost $1400 from the Victoria Teachers Mutual Bank will help close to 40 students aged between 16 and 18.
“The program is for our senior students; we work to teach them suitable work skills,” she said.
“Our students need a lot of support with communication and social skills, so we are really focusing on what can help them at school and beyond.”
Ms D’Menzie said as well as helping the students gain independence and readiness for work, the program has a focus on social interaction techniques, hygiene and self-care.
“A lot of the students cannot tolerate certain sensations, such as a toothbrush in their mouth, so we want to help give them skills, such as being able to brush their teeth and use hair products,” she said.
“It’s about creating more opportunities for our students; we are hoping this will open some doors in roles such as car washing.”
