Education
Students with disabilities in Invercargill now have their own supermarket to master real-world skills.
Front-Line Training has opened a Mini Woolies site — a fully functional replica supermarket complete with fresh food sections, grocery shelves, working registers and Woolworths uniforms.
The programme lets young people with disabilities practice handling money, scanning groceries, managing stock and providing customer service in a safe environment.
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds said "Delighted to be at the opening of the new mini woollies facility at Frontline training in Invercargill yesterday," Simmonds said. "The simulated site replicates all aspects of a supermarket, including a check out, to support the educational experiences of young people with disabilities. It's one of only 8 around the country, providing opportunities to enhance numeracy and literacy skills in a real world environment. It's also available to the whole community to use."
Since 2018, Woolworths has partnered with Fujitsu to build these simulated supermarkets across Australia and New Zealand. Invercargill's is the eighth site in New Zealand.
Just like the real thing, stocked shelves and checkouts. Photo: Corrina Housham / whatsoninvers.nz
The replica mirrors every aspect of a real supermarket. Students use baskets for fresh food, stock shelves with groceries, and scan items using fully operational registers at checkout. Ticketing and signage match the real thing.
The programme targets skills students need for independence. Money handling and register operation build numeracy confidence. Product handling and stock management teach responsibility. Customer service interactions develop communication skills.