Just The Beginning: Millie's New Role at Bunnings!

After graduating with a New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (Level 1) in March, Millie Winch has secured her dream role working in the office at Bunnings Warehouse’s new Cameron Road store in Tauranga.

As a Reception Assistant, Millie’s role includes everything from providing administrative assistance to the store’s Office Manager, to managing staff prizes for values award winners and setting up in-store activations and merchandise. She also helps coordinate the brand’s iconic sausage sizzles onsite.

“We have a Bluey area in the store for kids at the moment. It’s Bluey’s Hammerbarn from the show, so I’ve helped with that as an activity organiser and with the merchandise. We will have different themed activities instore throughout the year,” Millie says.

Millie’s role is the perfect fit for her. She works Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, and now with her restricted licence and her own car, getting to and from work is easy.

But it’s the opportunity to work with a supportive team that Millie’s grateful for the most.

“I really love working at Bunnings, it doesn’t feel real,” Millie says. “My team is the best… everyone is so nice, they always make sure I have everything I need to do my job, and I get a staff discount too,” she says.

Millie’s journey to employment is inspiring. Before studying at Toi Ohomai, she was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism, and had not long relocated to Tauranga from Australia.

“It had been a few tough years for me before Toi Ohomai. When I moved to New Zealand, I was struggling a bit... I would play video games in my room all day. Toi Ohomai got me out of the house, and I got more confident. I met one of my best friends, Paige, at Toi Ohomai. She’s one of those friends who you can just turn-up and know you can hang out,” Millie says.

As part of the Skills for Living for Supported Learners programme, Millie was introduced to a representative from SPCA at a student event on-campus. Since then, she has been volunteering weekly at SPCA in Tauranga, caring for cats.

Along with help from her mum, Millie also received resume assistance from Toi Ohomai Careers and Employability Facilitator, Sky Scott. 
Millie says she spent months refining her CV before hearing she’d secured an interview at Bunnings.

“It took me about six months to find a job, so I would update my CV a lot. When I was told I had an interview at Bunnings I was so relieved. Tony, the Assistant Manager, interviewed me. It went really well, and I was given lots of training when I started.”

Sky Scott says she had no doubt that Millie would secure a role where she could thrive.

“Millie’s heart and motivation are what make her stand out. She worked hard to find the right fit, and she did. We are so happy for her here at Toi Ohomai,” says Sky.

The Toi Ohomai Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (Level 1) programme is a year-long course, with one intake at Windermere campus each February.

Taught by Academic Staff Member, Magda Hamilton and Tutorial Assistant, Viliame Naliva, ākonga learn in a supportive environment and undertake group projects to prepare for the future. The course includes field trips, and learning content is focussed on communication, self-awareness, friendships, personal care and health and safety.

Like Millie’s volunteer work at SPCA, all Skills for Living students gain community experience during the programme, and are supported to identify their strengths and develop soft skills.

Magda Hamilton says she is so proud of Millie and that the Bunnings Tauranga team are lucky to have her onboard.

“Millie grew so much throughout her time with us. She was a committed, responsible, kind, and resilient ākonga who took every learning opportunity to grow, step out of her comfort zone, and achieve her goals. It’s wonderful to see she’s found a role that suits her so well,” says Magda.

Where to next for Millie?

At the moment she’s content with where she’s at, inside and outside of work.

“It’s the first time in my life that I’m not thinking about the future, or what I’m going to do next. I’m just so happy."

"I want to acknowledge the ongoing support from my mum and dad too. I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am with out them. They are my biggest supporters, I love them so much,” Millie says.

Want to learn more about the New Zealand Certificate in Skills for Living for Supported Learners (Level 1) programme? 

Visit the course page for more information, including intakes.