“The enthusiasm and interest shown by the MWLP students is a testament to the positive impact such an experience can have. Given the many opportunities available across local government, Council is an ideal organisation for students to get a taste of the work environment, providing them with practical knowledge and experience that will assist them in their career choices in the areas of Business Services, Construction, IT and Tourism.”

Campbelltown City Council – Paul Lake, Mayor.

“It’s a great program. The students are keen and well mannered. They eagerly take on the smaller tasks that free up our technicians and sales people to concentrate on more complex tasks. We have been so impressed with the calibre of the students we offered one student casual employment and he has now been trained to work in all our departments.”

Harvey Norman Campbelltown – Tim Duggan, Manager.

“It’s a great way to get extra help and even good staff.  One of our students impressed us so much we employed him as a casual through the holidays.”

Mid-State Constructions – Brad Terry, Owner.

“We recognise the importance of giving students the opportunity of experiencing real life workplace activity.  We run a facility that emphasises the importance of OH&S, customer service and attention to detail which are all attributes needed by students entering the workforce.”

“The local business community can play an important role in offering young kids a pathway or opportunity into life after school.  We see that placing students into workplace learning programs gives them a sense of purpose and lessens the fear they have of life after school.”

MTM Group Australia Pty. Ltd. – Brooke Grech, Managing Director.

“We’ve had fantastic work placement students from MWLP who fit right in, get on with the job and eventually we hired them. Get involved – there’s always a diamond in the rough.”

Lowes Narellan – Bob Ivastanin, Store Manager.

“It’s great to be able to give back to the community and help our next generation of employees.  The students are eager and we enjoy seeing how quickly they develop and adapt to an adult work environment in just one week.  It’s also gives the kids the chance to see whether Automotive is the trade for them.  We get the added bonus of assessing their potential for any upcoming vacancies.”

Clintons Motor Group – Daniel Ashton, Service Manager.

“The program can help expose your business to the younger generation.  You get the opportunity to assess each student’s potential and hopefully guide them on their career pathway.   We recently had a student, who did their work placement in 2009, come to us looking for work and he’s now employed as a casual.”

Proweld Engineering – Jason Boyce, Foreman.

“It is a great way to tap into a pool of young talent and find the right person for you.  We have hired apprentice chefs, kitchen hands and waitresses through this fantastic program.”

Wests Leagues Club – Diana Lawrence, Function Co-ordinator/Catering Supervisor.

“The students are amazing.  They’re funny, kind, generous and brilliant. Give the students a go.  Your business may learn something new – these kids are our future.”

Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living – Helen Byfield-Fleming, Centre Co-ordinator.

“Get involved with the program.   You get to ‘try before you buy’.  The students bring fresh ideas to your business and often they bring you customers.  We’ve been so impressed with the calibre of kids that in 2008 we offered one student casual employment and he’s still with us.  We nominated one of our students, Jeyla Suman for 2010 Work Placement Student of the Year and she won! She was amazing.”

Notebook Solutions – Ali Shafqat, Director.

“Get involved.  It opens your eyes to the fact that there are some really good kids out there who might need the chance to get a head start.  It also benefits the company as you get to see these potential employees before they hit the market.”

Kordovan Homes – Michael Sincek, Director.

“It’s a good way to assess young people and give them the opportunity to sample an occupation before committing to it.  I think all Macarthur businesses should become involved.  Give it a go.  Help our youth to help themselves.”

Campbelltown Frames and Trusses – Dave Neilson, Truss Foreman.

“Local business should give back to the community. Someone took the time to train me and I really appreciated it. Get young people involved in your industry and your business.”

DWP Network Automotive – David Perry, Owner/Manager.

“Support the students. They are our future. MWLP takes care of all the paperwork and supplies us with good quality students. So good in fact that some are offered casual positions with us.”

Crème Della Crème – Robbie Green, Owner.

“Get involved. We are running out of quality tradespeople.”

Accurate Building Services – Frank Paine, Owner and Director.

“All of the students we host seem to really enjoy their time here. We hope they take their new skills and use them to their advantage in their future studies and careers. We have been involved with student work placements for around 14 years. All the students put in a great effort. It’s really gratifying when they come back years later and inform us of what they are doing today.”

Fans Computers – Cameron Wheatley.

“Students experience first-hand how events are co-ordinated. They are included as part of the team and don’t just observe. We invite the students to the event they have assisted with, giving them the responsibility of the event’s success. This is a wonderful program and we would encourage other businesses to become involved.”

Belgenny Farm – Lyndal Bruce.

“We see it as a way for students to generate an understanding of engineering and a way for us to see first-hand potential employees and a way to give something back to the local community. Our workforce comes from the local area and the students also come from local schools. It’s a great program and we encourage other local businesses to be involved.”

Nepean Engineering – David Fuller, Chairman.

“It provides great training for students and allows us to assess them in the workplace. There’s no better way to interview. Previously we employed qualified chefs, but found it much better to recruit these brilliant MWLP students and train them our way.”

The Gardens Restaurant – Kylie Brooks, Owner/Manager.

“Some of my work placement students lack self confidence and are shy. After working with us, answering phones and greeting customers, the changes in them by the end of the week are amazing. Their confidence and self esteem grows and they become confident and happy and most of all, they enjoy the experience. I would strongly recommend that Macarthur businesses become involved. They will be pleasantly surprised at the level of enthusiasm and talent our young adults have.”

Vanga Travel – Nadya Noonan, Owner/Manager.

“I think every small business should get involved in this great program. It really doesn’t cost much – only some dedicated time to help create the next generation’s workforce. It is always great to have a student who already has an understanding about our industry and wants to achieve something in their life. It gives them the opportunity to rethink or confirm their career strategy.”

Arex – Wilton Engineering Pty Ltd – Mitchell Heffernan, Managing Director.

“The future of the automotive industry depends on young people being trained and starting at the HSC level, will entice more young people to, hopefully, enter the motor vehicle trades. Join the program and you may find a future apprentice.”

Camex-Dendai Auto Electrical & Mechanical – Allan Michell, Director and Owner.

“The program is well structured with strong support from MWLP staff. Students are well presented, mature, keen and willing to learn. It’s a great way to assess students before offering them possible work.”

Target Macarthur Square – Lynne Littlewood, Operations Manager.

“BCP has been involved with the work placement program coordinated by MWLP for a number of years now. MWLP’s co-ordination of the program is excellent. Benefits are evident not only for the students of Macarthur but for the businesses that host these students. Students gain a better understanding of the workforce and businesses get a snapshot of potential future employees. BCP Group Services recommends the experience.”

BCP Group Services – Judy McDonald, Group Administrator.

“I really appreciate the fact that the students already have some experience in retail. They know about customer service and it’s great to give the students the opportunity to put their knowledge and training into practice. After their week long placement they are more confident and work ready. In fact, we have taken quite a few students on as casuals following their work placement.”

Spotlight Campbelltown – Kelly, Department Manager.

“It’s a win-win situation – Carrington wins by assisting the youth of Macarthur, our potential future workforce, and developing the skills of our staff. The student wins by coming to an organisation that is innovative, caring and supports their development. You too can join and make a difference.”

Carrington Centennial Care – Raad Richards, Chief Executive.

“Supporting local schools and students is not only valuable to the community, but Bush’s benefit from the students as well.”

Bush’s Pet Foods – Stuart Harman, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain.

“It’s a fantastic way to see the quality of young people in the area.”

Bush’s Pet Foods – Sue McIntosh, Purchasing Administrator.

“I wish this type of hands-on learning was around when I went to school in the 1960s. I can only say that local businesses should get behind this great opportunity to help young people to see if they will enjoy working in your business. I have always believed that it’s not hard for business to give a little back to the community.”

PR & DJ Worthington – Peter Worthington, Owner/Director.

“Why wouldn’t businesses get involved. We’re talking young, highly motivated HSC students that have a willingness to learn and function in a team environment. All students are vetted; teachers liaise with us and MWLP takes care of everything. It’s a fantastic program and I have some wonderful staff that I would have never have had the chance to meet had it not been for this program. I’ve benefitted greatly and have been able to provide a way forward for many of these kids to further their studies at university.”

Lightstorm Computers – David Hodge, Owner/Director.

“Some students come in on the Monday morning with little or no self confidence and by the time they leave on the Friday afternoon they are answering phones and assisting customers. It is such a great feeling to see them walk out the door a more confident person and knowing that you helped them achieve that.”

Macarthur Travel Service – Elaine Wilson, Owner.

“It’s been great for us and great for the kids that have been involved. I think we’ve probably had over 200, maybe 220, kids come through the program with us and we’ve actually got some very good employees out of it.”

Marsdens Law Group – Jim Marsden, Senior Partner.

“We actually pick a lot of young fellows who want to do an apprenticeship in Engineering. It gives them an opportunity to see how business works. Broens Industries strongly recommend other companies to take young people for work (placement) experience as our company does.”

Broens Industries – Carlos Broens, Managing Director.

“We give the students experience in many areas; digging trenches, helping the carpet layer, to the plumber, electrician and painter. I recommend all other construction industries within Macarthur use these students as they are a benefit to you.”

Hansen Yuncken – Mick Fench, Site Manager.

“The hospitality industry is always looking for skilled employees and it is important that we, as employers, keep the industry needs alive through giving the younger generation a chance. I recommend this program to everyone in my industry.”

Macquarie Links International Golf Club – Ved Prasad, Executive Chef.

“This is my way of helping the community out. It also promotes the business and helps the kids out as well. They (MWLP) have been dealing with us for nearly four years now. All my staff is from the MWLP program. They (the students) don’t just surf the net, I actually do get them to do work. It’s a great program for the community and I highly recommend it.”

Zip Computers – Jay Prakash, Manager.

“Get involved with the MWLP program. Look at the big picture. This is a great way to keep in touch with youth and get to see students work before actually employing them. Someone gave me an opportunity and I’m more than happy where I am today. Give youth a go – they are your future.”

Medicar Smash Repairs – Ray Lauricella, Owner/Director.

“Our organisation is proud to be a supporter of local students gaining hands on knowledge in the hospitality industry and, in turn, those students help us to provide our services to the community. It’s a win-win situation. I know how valuable work placement was for me personally, in helping me gain employment in the Macarthur area.”

Campbelltown RSL - David Rogers, Executive Chef.

“MWLPs program is a great way to find keen young people to fill positions within the company. Several of these students have been employed as casuals during school holidays and weekends and it keeps us in touch with the youth market. They even help to bring us customers long after they have left school.”

Sureflo Exhaust - Greg Stevenson, Owner and Manager.

“We commit to giving back to our community. Our background is education and working with MWLP fits perfectly. Seeing students achieve in the workplace – being able to face challenges and conquer deadlines with optimism. Raising self esteem is what it’s all about. It is definitely the best way to interview. Brainwave Learning Centre has employed two exceptional students from this program. It’s tremendous. Thank you MWLP.”

Brainwave Learning Centre - Margaret Chivers, Owner.

"We see this as an opportunity to give a little bit back to the community and it’s a great way to support our local youth. Even though we don’t take on apprentices, we can recommend it as a great way of assessing a young person’s potential. We’ve had some terrific kids work here.”

Competitive Constructions - Matt Callender, Site Services Manager.

“Local business should make an effort to support the local community. It’s a win/win situation. We not only support the community, we get an extra pair of hands at no charge and the student gets the opportunity to experience valuable hands-on, relevant work. They definitely get their hands dirty fixing computers, reinstalling software, building new computer systems and preparing computers for sale. The students also receive a little spiel on work ethics.”

MultiTECH - Graham Nicholls, Manager.