Practical skills, work experience and confidence for young people under 25
Everyone deserves the chance to build independence and thrive. The EPIC – NDIS at WISE program (Employment Preparation and Inclusion in the Community) supports young people aged under 25 to build work, life and social skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.
If your NDIS plan includes goals or categories such as:
- SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports)
- Finding and Keeping a Job
- Social and community participation
- Improved daily living skills
...then EPIC could be the perfect program for you!
What is EPIC – NDIS at WISE?
EPIC is a School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program designed and run by the NDIS at WISE team (formerly run by Access Australia Group).
Based in the Bendigo region, EPIC helps young people gain work experience, travel training, life skills and confidence through hands-on, real-world learning — both on-site at Peppergreen Farm and within the local community.
Every participant’s program is personalised to their strengths, interests and goals. You’ll learn through fun, practical activities that build teamwork, time management, communication, independence and other work-ready skills.
You’ll also have opportunities to build everyday life skills — like managing money, cooking nutritious meals, looking after your health, and using public transport or working toward your driver’s licence.
Where EPIC runs
EPIC – NDIS at WISE operates across Bendigo and surrounding areas of Victoria, with activities held five days a week at PepperGreen Farm and throughout the local community. We offer flexible attendance — full-time or part-time — depending on your goals and schedule.
Contact the EPIC – NDIS at WISE team during business hours on: 03 5445 9860
Email the EPIC – NDIS at WISE team at: [email protected]
What you'll learn and experience:
Practical skills
- Horticulture sessions: Learn about horticulture by working in the garden at the Gravel Hill Community Garden.
- Woodwork microbusiness: Recycling pallets into furniture and using the profits for fun activities such as bowling, excursions and BBQs.
Work experience
- Retail experience: We work with various partners including Not Quite Right (NQR) supermarket in Kangaroo Flat to provide work experience sessions under the support of our Job Coaches.
- Custom placements: We will endeavour to find placements in any field you would like to try!
Career and life skills
- Work skills sessions: A 17-week mini-course which will teach you about OH&S, your rights at work, and explore possible careers.
- Independent living sessions: Learn cooking, transport training, cyber safety, healthy relationships and much more.
- Driving lessons: Some of our Job Coaches are qualified L to P driver instructors and can help you build up experience. We can also help you obtain your learners permit if you don’t already have it.
- 1:1 job coaching and mentoring: Helping you with anything that will make you more employable, from getting a tax file number, to building your confidence, to accompanying you on work experience placements.
Social skills
- Interact with other EPIC – NDIS at WISE participants and members of the local community
- Fun days – BBQ, bowling, excursions, visiting the Zone and more!
