Supported employment isn't just about filling hours. For participants at Thorndale Industries, it's a genuine pathway to skills, responsibility, and long-term career growth.
As the commercial arm of Thorndale Foundation, Thorndale Industries gives people with disability the chance to work in real commercial roles, supported every step of the way.
What Is Thorndale Industries?
Thorndale Industries operates as an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE), meaning it delivers genuine commercial services to businesses while employing people with disability in supported roles.
It's not simulated work experience. Participants complete real jobs for real clients, from small local businesses to larger commercial customers.
Almost 60 Years in the Making
Thorndale Foundation's roots go back to 1959, when it began as a parent-led organisation supporting children with intellectual disabilities in the Nepean region.
By 2009, the foundation had shifted its focus to include adults with disability, which laid the groundwork for the supported employment programs Thorndale Industries runs today from its Werrington base. That history matters: it's the foundation of an organisation that understands disability employment as a long-term commitment, not a short-term program.
Real Commercial Work, Real Skills
Participants at Thorndale Industries work across a genuinely broad range of services:
- Packaging and assembly: promotional kits, conference kits, and show bags
- Warehousing and storage services
- Contract packaging and 3PL (pick-and-pack) logistics
- Shrink wrapping and mailing/fulfilment services
- Lawn and garden services: mowing, mulching, weed control
- Textile recycling
This variety means participants can move between roles, try different types of work, and find where their strengths and interests genuinely lie.
Tailored Training and Career Development
Every role at Thorndale Industries comes with trained supervision and tasks modified to suit individual ability. But it doesn't stop at getting the job done. Participants are supported to build on their skills over time, taking on more responsibility as their confidence grows. This is what separates career development from a one-off placement: the ongoing coaching, the pace matched to the person, and the room to progress.
Building Skills That Transfer
Beyond the specific tasks, participants develop skills that matter well beyond Thorndale Industries: reliability, teamwork, communication, and workplace routine.
These are the foundations of any career, and they're built in an environment designed to support people with disability rather than exclude them.
Confidence, Community, and Belonging
Career growth isn't only measured in job titles. Participants regularly report increased self-esteem, new friendships, and a stronger connection to their local community.
Thorndale also runs a social program alongside its employment services, giving people the chance to unwind and build relationships outside of work hours.
Who Thorndale Industries Serves
Thorndale Industries supports NDIS participants across Werrington, Penrith, St Marys, and the broader Nepean, Hawkesbury, and lower Blue Mountains regions.
Its supported employment programs are open to people at different stages of their working life, whether they're entering the workforce for the first time or looking for a more supportive employment environment.
How to Get Involved
For NDIS participants interested in building a career through supported employment, the first step is a conversation with Thorndale's team about goals and current NDIS plan funding. Businesses looking to partner commercially, whether for packaging, warehousing, or landscaping services, are also welcome to get in touch.
Ready to explore a real career path with Thorndale Industries? Contact Thorndale Foundation or call (02) 9912 7800 to learn more.
With almost 60 years of experience supporting the Western Sydney disability community, Thorndale Industries remains a trusted employer building genuine careers, not just casual work. Get in touch today to find out how Thorndale Industries can help you or your business.