Mini Woolies opens in Wagga to build confidence and job-ready skills for people with disability

A new “Mini Woolies” has opened in Wagga Wagga, providing people with disability the opportunity to develop confidence, practical work experience, and essential employment skills in a real-world setting.

The hands-on training space – a collaboration between Woolworths, Fujitsu, and local education providers – replicates a full supermarket environment, complete with working checkouts, shelves, scanners, and digital systems. It gives participants the chance to learn how to interact with customers, process transactions, and manage stock in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

Building pathways to employment

The Mini Woolies initiative was designed to remove barriers that many people with disability face when entering the workforce. For those who may find traditional learning or job placements overwhelming, the program offers a safe space to build familiarity with workplace routines, develop social and communication skills, and gain real confidence.

Participants are supported by educators and disability employment specialists who guide them through every task, helping them to identify strengths and areas for growth. The end goal is to prepare them for open employment – either within Woolworths or across other industries – by giving them the foundational experience employers look for.

Real-world inclusion in action

For many participants, Mini Woolies is their first opportunity to experience a work environment that values their contribution and abilities. It’s a practical example of what inclusive employment can look like when businesses, educators, and technology partners work together.

Through tailored learning and repetition in a familiar, supportive setting, participants gain not only job-ready skills but also the confidence to take on greater independence. In many cases, graduates from Mini Woolies programs have gone on to secure work in retail, customer service, and hospitality roles.

Strengthening regional opportunities

The Wagga Wagga Mini Woolies is particularly significant for the Riverina region, where opportunities for inclusive work experience can be limited. This initiative helps close that gap, ensuring people with disability in regional communities have the same chance to develop employment skills as those in larger cities.

Local educators have already reported strong engagement, noting how students are gaining not just technical ability but also self-belief and social confidence.

“Programs like Mini Woolies are vital in bridging the gap between education and employment,” said a local program coordinator. “It’s about showing participants that they can contribute, be independent, and belong in the workforce.”

A national movement toward inclusive employment

With more than 50 Mini Woolies stores now operating across Australia, the program has become a leading example of how mainstream employers can actively support disability inclusion. It aligns with Australia’s broader push to increase disability employment participation and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

As Wagga’s Mini Woolies opens its doors, it represents more than a training space – it’s a step toward a more inclusive workforce, one that recognises potential over limitation.