What is the Employment Pathway Model?

Our Employment Pathway supports people with disability to build real hospitality skills, gain confidence in the workplace, and transition into open employment with mainstream venues and employers.

The pathway includes structured pre-employment training, paid employment, and personalised transition support. Every trainee begins in our Access Program, where we focus on building transferable skills in a consistent and supportive environment.

Who is the program for?

Our program is designed for people with disability aged 18 and over who are interested in working in hospitality and ready to build practical workplace skills.

Trainees are ideally self-motivated, open to learning, and supported through appropriate NDIS funding for 1:1 support. All training is tailored to the individual.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS?

We accept expressions of interest year-round.

Formal intake periods happen twice each year:

• January–February applications for our March intake

• June–July applications for our August intake

Our intake groups are intentionally small, with approximately 10–12 trainees per intake to ensure personalised support and training.

EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION AND INTAKE PROCESS?

Once an expression of interest is submitted, our team will connect with the trainee and their support network to learn more about their goals, interests, support needs, and funding.

From there, suitable applicants may be invited to participate in an intake and assessment process to determine readiness and pathway fit.

How long does the pathway take?

Every trainee progresses at their own pace, however as a general guide:

• Access Program: approximately 12 months

• Employ Program: approximately 12–18 months

• Bridge Program: approximately 6 months of support before working independently 

Access and Employ Programs include planned breaks and holiday periods throughout the year.

What does the weekly Training schedule look like?

Training schedules vary depending on the stage of the pathway.

Access Pre-Employment Program
Typically, 1 day per week for a 4-hour session. Session times may vary depending on the activity, including barista training, café training, cooking classes, and hospitality workshops.

Employ Program
Trainees generally work toward completing 2 weekly shifts, each approximately 3.5 hours.

Bridge Program
Typically 1-2 shifts per week for 4-5 hours, but schedules are developed collaboratively with the mentee, Employment Program Manager, and employment partner based on individual goals and workplace requirements.

where does training take place?

Training takes place across All Things Equal café and hospitality environments, with opportunities to gain experience in real customer-facing hospitality settings and alongside employment partners.

Do trainees get paid?

Yes. Award wage employment begins when trainees move into our Employ Program and continue into the Bridge Program when placed with our employment partners.

Trainees are paid under the Hospitality Industry Award while working within All Things Equal cafés.

What skills do trainees learn?

Trainees build both hospitality and workplace readiness skills including:

• customer service

• food handling and café operations

• communication skills

• teamwork

• time management

• workplace confidence

• self advocacy

• giving and receiving feedback

• understanding workplace expectations

The focus is on developing practical, transferable skills that support long-term employment outcomes.

What supports are available along the pathway?

All training is tailored to the individual and delivered with 1:1 support funded through the NDIS.

Support is provided by program managers, hospitality professionals, trainers, and employment mentors.

We provide:

• structured on-the-job support

• personalised learning resources

• workplace accommodations

• formal and informal feedback

• transition support into open employment

Because the program already includes dedicated 1:1 support, external support workers are generally not required during training sessions.

How does ATE decide when someone is ready for open employment?

Our Employ Program is person-centred, meaning every trainee progresses at their own pace within a supportive 12–18 month framework.

We use a strengths-based approach that combines trainer feedback, shift observations, skill development, consistency, confidence, and the trainee’s own goals.

Readiness for open employment is based on both practical workplace capability and growing independence, ensuring each trainee feels supported, confident, and prepared for long-term success.

What happens when a trainee enters our Bridge Program?

The Bridge Program supports mentees as they transition into open employment with inclusive hospitality and professional services employers.

Our team works closely with both the mentee and the employer to support onboarding, communication, workplace adjustments, and long-term success.

An Employment Mentor provides around six-months of 1:1 support to help with the transition to the new workplace, before gradually stepping back as the mentee’s independence grows.

What types of jobs do graduates move into?

Graduates move into a range of hospitality and customer-facing roles across Melbourne.

Roles may include:

• café and restaurant all-rounders

• catering assistants

• boardroom attendants

• front of house team members

• customer service roles

• food preparation and back of house support

What NDIS funding can support participation?

Many trainees access the program using a combination of:

• Core Supports

• Capacity Building supports

• School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

While we can help families understand what funding categories may apply, we do not provide financial advice.

Can someone stay employed at ATE’s café long term?

No. Our Employment Pathway is designed to support transition into open employment.

While trainees gain valuable paid employment experience within All Things Equal cafés, the long-term goal is to support each person into sustainable employment opportunities with external employers and industry partners.