Best known for PepperGreen Farm and Catering, not-for-profit employment service provider Access Australia Group (AAG) have announced they intend to merge with WISE Employment.
AAG also provides employment services, NDIS-funded services and programs, and is a registered training organisation.
Prue Mansfield, Board Chair of AAG says “This merger secures the future of PepperGreen Farm and Catering, and the whole range of services that we provide. Most importantly, it secures the jobs of our supported and professional staff. The assets of AAG will remain in the region. The Board is very confident of a strong future with WISE.”
Both businesses will continue to operate under their trading names, so it will mean business as usual for our customers, suppliers, staff and visitors to PepperGreen Farm.
AAG’s goal has always been to support people with disability and disadvantage in employment, training and other opportunities to enhance their quality of life and benefit the wider community. WISE is a not-for-profit organisation supporting people through targeted education, employment and community programs since 1992. Its goals, business activities and values are directly aligned with those of AAG.
AAG and WISE have been in discussions since 2022. The merger will bring experience and scale to AAG, which provides for the Bendigo community and surrounding regions. It will bring WISE a strong presence in Central Victoria in addition to its operations across most of Australia.
Liz March, CEO of Access Australia Group and Matthew Lambelle, CEO of WISE Employment agree that AAG’s and WISE’s values and services are a perfect alignment for Integration.
“We have always been impressed with WISE’s far-reaching network and are thrilled that we can continue to deliver high-quality services for our customers within the Bendigo area and beyond with this merger,” says Liz March, CEO of Access Australia Group.
“This merger provides opportunity for an integration of services that AAG and WISE already both provide and means we can now work together to deliver best practice for both sets of customers on a larger scale and continue to expand our network in regional Victoria as well as across WA and SA,” adds Lambelle.
The merger will see WISE continue its focus on supporting people with disabilities, mental health issues and youth, investing back into the community through innovative programs.
The merger will officially take effect on 3rd July 2023.