Building skills and confidence at McDonald’s

Participants initially undergo the ‘Discovery Phase’, where job coaches take the time to understand the person with disability, exploring their strengths, interests, preferences, and the supports they may require to succeed in their role.  

This information helps the coaches to identify or shape roles that align with those strengths and interests, and negotiate with employers to make modifications as needed. Part of this is supporting participants with work experience placements, like Richard and Shavaun’s placement at McDonald’s. 

These work experience placements are essential in providing firsthand exposure to the workplace and supporting participants to explore different roles and assess their interests and skills in real workplace settings.  

Supported on the day by Sau, Yooralla Job Coach, and Codey, Disability Support Navigator, Richard and Shavaun were shown the ropes of all the different tasks that staff are responsible for in store.  

They learnt the tasks of all trainees on their first day at McDonald’s, including mopping and cleaning of the dining area – which was left in an immaculate state after Shavaun was finished with it! 

She also developed an excellent system to not mix up the cloths for wiping tables and chairs, before progressing on to the most important task – learning how to make coffee! 

Kaleb, the Store Manager, who generously donated his time to support Richard and Shavaun on their work experience shift, showed Shavaun how to make the coffee at the McCafe – demonstrating first, before Shavaun completed the task with his assistance.  

Codey was the lucky recipient of this first coffee, reporting that it “tasted delicious!”. 

This was a very important first step in Richard and Shavaun’s employment journey, with reports sharing that they greatly enjoyed the experience. 

The job coaches will keep working with the pair, to continue to grow and develop their skills as they work toward open employment.