Mindshop Excellence program students to work with Council
Published on 21 September 2017
Mildura Rural City Council will ‘recruit’ six ‘specialist consultants’ next week to help make business improvements within the organisation.
The 2017 Mindshop Excellence program will see six Year 11 Mildura Senior College students spend four days with Council from Monday as part of the initiative.
Run in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Mildura Deakin, the Mindshop Excellence program aims to foster team work and self confidence in students, as well as exposing them to real-world business environments.
As part of students’ time with Council next week, they’ll be given a real-life business problem identified by Council, and use the Mindshop Excellence process to resolve it.
This will involve students analysing the problem, identifying and evaluating possible solutions and recommending and presenting a course of action to management.
Mildura Rural City Councillor and Rotary Club of Mildura Deakin program coordinator Min Poole said the program was a win-win for both students and Council.
“Not only will students gain invaluable skills and behind-the-scenes experience at a large, professional organisation, but Council will draw on a very different perspective to create business improvements,” Cr Poole said.
“This is a fantastic initiative, and based on previous students’ experience, it’s proven to have lasting impacts on both their personal lives and their education.”
A key component of the Mindshop Excellence program is guidance by accredited facilitator Peter O’Donnell, who provides students with problem-solving tools, as well as direction and training in team work and presentation during their four days with Council.
Mr O’Donnell facilitated last year’s Mindshop Excellence program and highlighted the real-world benefit it provided last year’s host organisation – the Mildura Airport.
“It’s amazing to see the impact this program has on students, arming them with highly valuable skills and experience and an understanding of business processes,” Mr O’Donnell said.
“However it’s equally impressive seeing what students have to offer local businesses and is something we saw first-hand last year at the Mildura Airport, where students’ recommendations were adopted and have proven a resounding success.”
Mildura Senior College Student Leadership Coordinator Lachlan Lean said his school was delighted to partner Mildura Rural City Council and the Rotary Club of Mildura Deakin in the Mindshop program.
“It is encouraging to see this type of initiative for our youth, where they have the opportunity to gain hands-on learning whilst building teamwork and communication skills working alongside their peers,” Mr Lean said.
This year’s Mindshop Excellence program students will spend four days at Council, between Monday, 25 September and Thursday, 28 September.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au