In 2022, I was employed by Atlas McNeil (Bunzl) with the support of Barkuma Employment, an organisation that helps people with disability find meaningful work. This opportunity marked a significant milestone for me as someone living with cerebral palsy, vision loss, and a learning disability.
I was enrolled in the Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations (TLI30321) through Flexible Training Solutions, commencing April 2023 and completed in March 2025. I undertook this qualification as a traineeship which was offered by my employer, Atlas McNeil (Bunzl Outsourcing Services Limited).
I was excited when my employer recognised my current work performance and offered me an opportunity to undertake a traineeship, to further develop my skills and knowledge of my warehousing role. As the role was new to me, I jumped at the opportunity to be able to get some additional training, to build my understanding, experience new things, and grow not only in my job role but personally as well. I love to further myself and this opportunity was one I could not pass up.
My Career and Study Achievements – So Far!
In early 2023, Bunzl introduced a national traineeship program to further develop their team. With encouragement from my employer and the training project manager, OCG, I was offered the opportunity to enrol in a Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations qualification that aligned closely with my role as a warehouse storeperson. This course was recommended as the best fit for both my current responsibilities and future growth, and I felt excited to be part of it.
Choosing to take part in the traineeship has changed my life in many positive ways. I’ve loved the training and have learnt so many new things that not only support me in my day-to-day role but also help me better understand the bigger picture of warehousing operations. Through this learning journey, I’ve gained a stronger sense of independence and self-belief. I now feel more confident when approaching new tasks and responsibilities at work, and I know that I can keep learning and growing, no matter the challenges I face.
From the program, I’ve gained hands-on, on-the-job training and developed new technical and communication skills. My understanding of warehousing practices has deepened, and I’ve learned how to manage tasks more efficiently and with greater accuracy. Most importantly, this experience has shown me—and hopefully others—that disability is not a barrier to growth, achievement, or contribution. I’ve discovered a sense of purpose and value that drives me to do my best every day.
At work, I’ve been able to bring back extra knowledge from my training and apply it to improve how I carry out my duties. I’ve introduced more efficient ways to organise tasks and helped improve the accuracy of order processing and delivery timelines. My progress is not just personal—it contributes to the team’s success. Being part of this journey has shown me that with the right support and opportunity, anyone can thrive.
Team and Communication Skills
Throughout my traineeship, I’ve developed better communication skills, and I am more confident in how I connect with others at and out of work. One of the highlights of my training was meeting with my trainer, Phil from Flexible Training Solutions, onsite every three weeks. I always looked forward to the sessions, as I enjoy learning and growing. After each visit, I would proudly share what I had learnt with my job coordinator at Barkuma, as well as my mum and many family members. I found great joy in telling them how much I loved the training and how I was applying my new skills.
At work, I regularly shared my learning with my supervisor, teammates and managers. I found it really rewarding when I could explain something I’d learnt and how it helped me do my job better. It felt great to know that what I was learning could make a real difference.
Working in a team environment is something I really enjoy. I love being part of a group where everyone shares ideas, has a laugh, and helps each other out. Teamwork makes the job more enjoyable and keeps everyone connected. Just like in my favourite sport, AFL, and supporting my mighty Adelaide Crows, every person on the team plays a role and contributes to success. The same applies in the workplace.
I believe that being positive, smiling, and bringing a happy attitude to work helps build a good team environment. I try to be encouraging to others, especially when things get hard, because I understand that challenges are a part of life. It’s important to show courage, stay motivated and always look for chances to learn something new. These are the traits I bring to my life every day.
My training has helped me communicate more clearly, work better with others, and understand how what I do fits into the business. It’s also helped me appreciate the roles my teammates play, and how I can support them. I’m proud to be part of the team at Atlas McNeil (Bunzl).
My Ability to be an Ambassador
While I haven’t held formal leadership positions, I believe leadership is also about attitude, effort, and being a positive example to others. Before gaining employment at Atlas McNeil (Bunzl), I was involved in several volunteer roles where I always gave my best and tried to support others. With the support of Barkuma, I was able to find my current role, and having a disability like cerebral palsy hasn't stopped me from working hard and taking pride in what I do. The opportunity to complete a traineeship was an unexpected bonus, and it has turned into one of the best experiences of my life.
Through my training, I’ve learnt more about warehouse operations, which has helped me grow personally and professionally. As I’ve gained knowledge, I’ve been able to offer suggestions and ideas to my supervisor and team that could help improve how we work or make tasks more efficient. This may not be a traditional leadership role, but I see it as a way of owning my position and contributing to the success of our team. I believe leadership can be shown through small actions, like taking initiative, caring about your role, and encouraging others—and I do my best to live that every day.
The training experience itself was excellent. I genuinely loved every bit of it. The mix of hands-on learning and written work was just right for me. Every third Friday, my trainer would come to site to work with me and two others. These sessions weren’t just about completing tasks, they were also about sharing what we’d learnt, supporting each other, and learning about the different roles each of us had at work. That made it interesting and helped me understand how my role connects with others.
If I had the chance to be an ambassador for training in Australia, I would proudly share my story to show that people with disability can succeed with the right support and opportunities. Training has given me confidence, new skills, and a sense of value. I hope my journey can inspire others to see that everyone, no matter their challenges, has the potential to grow, contribute and succeed through vocational education and training.
My Pursuits
Completing my qualification was a proud achievement for me, especially as I have cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, and vision loss. These challenges mean I sometimes need a bit of extra support, and I was lucky to have one-on-one help with some of my assessments. Even with these supports, I was still able to complete most of the training on my own. I had enough information and guidance to get through without feeling too stressed, and that helped me build my confidence.
In my job at Atlas McNeil (Bunzl), I make up specialised medical kits for home nurses. This role is very important because the kits must be packed correctly and meet strict hygiene and health standards. I’ve had to use initiative every day in my role. I always try to stay ahead of my work and make sure everything is accurate. If I’m not sure about something, I ask for help, and I also speak up if I notice something that could be improved. I’ve brought some ideas to my manager that have helped make the job easier and more efficient. I also do my best to support my teammates when they need a hand.
One of my strengths is communication. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned and being part of the team. I’ve always had to work harder than others because of my disability, but I don’t let that stop me. I don’t want to be treated differently. I want to be equal with my peers, and this training has helped me feel that way. I’ve learned that everyone in the business has a role to play, and all roles are equally important.
Before I started my job, I used to volunteer one day a week at Burnside Toy Library, which I really enjoyed. Since I started working, I’ve had to stop for now because I get pretty tired, but I hope to do more volunteering again in the future.
I think my resilience, strong work ethic, and positive attitude make me a good role model for others. Being selected as Trainee of the Year would be an honour, and I would use the opportunity to show that with determination and the right support, anything is possible.
