At EPIC we offer a lot of different services to help our job seekers reach their employment goals. Our job seekers in Tasmania can use their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) package to undertake work preparation activities, so they can get familiar with the routine and responsibility of working.
If you are about to finish school or have recently finished, this is referred to as School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES).
Through School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), you will receive employment preparation support after leaving school to help you get ready for work. The focus of School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is to try and test a range of work experience settings to find what’s right for you.
SLES is offered in Hobart, Sorell, Burnie, Devonport, and Launceston in Tasmania.
EPIC’s friendly team will work with you, your family, and carers to create tailored activities so you can comfortably transition to the workplace and achieve your employment goals.
What to expect
Everyone’s journey after school is different. Your pathway to employment depends on your aspirations, interests, abilities, skills, and personal circumstances.
We understand that leaving school and entering the workforce is a big change, and we are here to support you.
At EPIC, we take the time to determine the most appropriate next steps for you to prepare for work through the assistance of School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES).
We spend time getting to know your strengths, goals, and personality. EPIC doesn’t use a ‘one size fits all’ approach to getting you job-ready. Our staff will work with you one-on-one to determine your goals after leaving school.
1 in 3 EPIC employees has a lived experience with disability, which gives us a valuable and different perspective. We draw upon the insights and life experiences of our staff with disability to greater understand and meet the needs of our job seekers.
Whatever your employment goals are, we are here to listen and get to know you.
Depending on your goals and current skill level, there are a range of activities that may be included in your School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) plan.
These include:
- Building your confidence, self-esteem, and independence
- Advancing social and business communication skills
- Developing your understanding of workplace rules and responsibilities
- Learning how to use public transport
- Money management
- Computer literacy
- Accountability, flexibility, and motivation
- Building resilience
- Employability skills training such as resume preparation, job search strategies, and interview preparation
- Participating in inclusive work experiences that suit your interests and strengths.
At EPIC, we understand that everyone has different ways of studying, learning, and working. Your EPIC trainer will help you tailor your learning so that it works for you and your unique requirements.
You’ll always be able to learn at your own pace, with support from the EPIC team.
Your work preparation training as part of School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) will take place in a real workplace.
By getting involved in work experience in real workplaces, you get a sneak peek into what different work environments are like, and what may suit you, your skills, and your personality.
This means you will get the skills you need for paid employment in a real-world setting, not an imitation workplace.
When you are ready to transition into paid work, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to succeed.
It’s important that your work preparation happens in the environment where you will be living and working, so that it is relevant to you.
Your work preparation will take place in your own community, at a business that suits your interests and goals.
We will travel to you, to support you while you do your work preparation as part of School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES).
You are never left to navigate the School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) process alone. An EPIC Trainer will be by your side every step of the way. We will provide on-the-job support as you become familiar with your new workplace. If you have any skill gaps that need attention, we will help with training, mentoring, and advice. We will also review your plan from time to time to ensure we are meeting your goals.
What’s next?
Our Hobart, Sorell, Burnie, Devonport, and Launceston locations in Tasmania offer School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) for school leavers as part of our NDIS services. School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is also available to students after leaving school, for a period of around two years.
Please contact us to find out more.
EPIC offers a number of other opportunities for students, depending on where you’re at in your career journey: