Work Experience Program

Neurodiverse work experience program

Neurodiverse Work Experience Program – A Celebration of Growth and Success

We are delighted to share the success of the first Neurodiverse Work Experience and Industry Immersion Program, delivered in collaboration with the Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network (HWLLEN) and Whittlesea Tech School. This innovative pilot program was developed to provide students with meaningful, supported workplace experiences that help build confidence, employability skills, and pathways toward future careers.

Our students had the incredible opportunity to participate in real-world work placements across a range of industries. Henry completed his placement at Mernda Library, Morgan joined the team at Thomastown Library, and Blake gained hands-on experience with Crusader Caravans. Each student was fully supported by school staff and the program partners, ensuring they felt prepared, encouraged, and confident every step of the way.

Throughout the program, students embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. They developed communication skills, teamwork, and workplace confidence — and for many, this was their first experience in a professional setting. The progress made over such a short time was truly inspiring.

The program concluded with a Friday Showcase, where parents, carers, and staff were invited to celebrate the achievements of all participating students. The presentations were outstanding — each student spoke with pride and confidence about their experiences, reflecting on what they had learned and how it had shaped their future thinking around careers. It was wonderful to witness the student’s growth and self-assurance firsthand.

This has been a highly successful pilot program, and we are extremely proud of our students for the way they represented Plenty River College. We are also grateful to HWLLEN, Whittlesea Tech School, and our placement partners for their ongoing collaboration and commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for young people.

We look forward to continuing this partnership and seeing even more students benefit from this exciting initiative in the future.

- Kim Gray

Assistant Principal