South Waikato Achievement Trust's work opportunities focus on real skills and paid roles for disabled people
Finding work that matches individual interests and abilities is not always straightforward. When the fit is not right, confidence can decline and progress can stall. At South Waikato Achievement Trust, vocational support is built around paid roles in real business settings, including our recycling, e-waste processing and packaging units, all linked to commercial contracts.
Hours can be arranged to suit individual needs, with workplace skills training and on-site support provided. The focus remains practical: turning up, learning the role and contributing within a workplace where each person’s input is valued.
Work is organised to build tangible skills while supporting contracts that sustain the operation. This balance is important — vocational programmes are grounded in genuine business activity, with real work and real outcomes, not simply tasks to fill time.
Hours can be arranged to suit individual needs, with workplace skills training and on-site support provided. The focus remains practical: turning up, learning the role and contributing within a workplace where each person’s input is valued.
Work is organised to build tangible skills while supporting contracts that sustain the operation. This balance is important — vocational programmes are grounded in genuine business activity, with real work and real outcomes, not simply tasks to fill time.
Tokoroa | South Waikato
Page: Jobs For People With Disabilities South Waikato | Work Opportunities - Last updated: 27th August, 2026
Site Map |
Send us a message
If you would like us to get in touch with you, please fill in the form.
If you are interested in disability support, you will require a needs assessment - find out more here.
Outsourcing solutions for businesses creating jobs for people with disabilities
- Build confidence and independence for people with diabilities by being part of a paid workforce
- Meaningful work and flexible hours suited to the person
- Develop practical lifeskills and empowering people to live the life they choose
Real business enterprise with supported employment
Vocational roles here are genuine business enterprise placements. Employment support services are tied to real commercial work, so expectations are clear and consistent. All employees work under employment agreements and are paid wages, the same way any workplace operates.
Hours of work depend on how many hours a week a person would like to work and what is available. Some employees work 37.5 hours per week, others arrange part-time work that fits their daily life.
Hours of work depend on how many hours a week a person would like to work and what is available. Some employees work 37.5 hours per week, others arrange part-time work that fits their daily life.
Regular work supports:
- Earning a wage and practising money skills
- Consistent work patterns and on-the-job responsibility
- Being part of a workplace where accountability is normal
This is not token work. The point is paid employment, responsibility and being counted in the day’s output. The work also has to stay commercially viable so roles can continue to exist.
Supported employment in genuine businesses
Supported work opportunities are hands-on. We have three different business units - e-waste, recycling and our packaging area.
Our packaging team provides an outsourcing function for businesses to take care of non-automated large volume tasks. Whether it's packaging, relabelling, or deconstructing packaging, our packaging team can do the job for companies throughout New Zealand.
The e-waste operation takes anything with a cord. Televisions, computers and other equipment are dismantled and separated into recycling streams including circuit boards, copper wiring, plastic and glass. Around 95 percent of the processed material is recycled, with the remainder going to an A-grade landfill where required. E-waste comes in from the Kapiti Coast through to Tokoroa, so your work connects with customers well beyond South Waikato.
Recycling collections for South Waikato businesses are handled through the recycling truck service, covering paper, cardboard and bottles.
Safety gear is provided for the job, including gloves, boots and safety glasses.
Safety gear is provided for the job, including gloves, boots and safety glasses.
Job training for disabilities with personalised planning
Job training for people with disabilities is planned around the individual rather than a standard template. Goals guide each plan, with input from the person, their whānau and staff. From there, next steps are mapped to suit current ability and how the week is organised. Disability job training programmes may include:
- School-to-work transition programmes with ongoing support
- On-site job training within active business operations
- Day-to-day coaching as tasks are learned
- Flexible options combining work with Creative Hub activities
Skill development is practical and workplace-based, covering task performance, time organisation, communication and handling pay.
Support is also available for those moving towards external employment. This may include preparation around workplace expectations and providing references when appropriate. One example within the organisation is a truck driver who began in a supported role and now holds a Class 2 licence, working full-time and dealing directly with businesses.
Support is also available for those moving towards external employment. This may include preparation around workplace expectations and providing references when appropriate. One example within the organisation is a truck driver who began in a supported role and now holds a Class 2 licence, working full-time and dealing directly with businesses.
Disability employment support and community connection
Disability employment support helps make work a consistent part of everyday life. Turning up, completing tasks and seeing progress builds confidence in a practical, meaningful way. The work remains connected to the wider community, linking directly with local businesses and contracts that need to be delivered.
Supported employment helps develop:
Supported employment helps develop:
- Team communication within a workplace
- Reliability through regular attendance
- Problem-solving in real work environments
- Financial awareness through regular wages
People are part of the workplace, contributing to real outputs with clear expectations and visible results. Learn more about the organisation and its history on the About page.
Work in our packaging, e-waste and recycling centres in Tokoroa starts at 8am and finishes at 4pm. We offer a pick up and drop off service for people who need transport to and from home. Your day will follow a normal work day with a morning tea, lunch and afternoon break.
The area you will work in will be matched with your preference, goals and strengths. A productivity assessment will be undertaken to determine how much your disability affects your work, and this will help decide your rate of pay. If this rate is below the minimum wage, it needs to be approved by the Labour Inspectorate, and it must be fiar , reasonable and agreed by you.
Employment support services are practical and workplace-based. Staff provide on-the-job training, assist with task set-up and offer ongoing guidance throughout the workday. Safety requirements are built into daily routines, with PPE supplied where needed.
Contact South Waikato Achievement Trust to discuss interests and suitable work options. A visit can be arranged to view the workplace and meet staff. We also support transitions for school to work placements.
They can. Transition to work programmes are designed to build transferable work habits and practical skills, including teamwork, task completion and workplace confidence. When outside work is the right next step, support may include coaching, references and planning to help the move stick.