Bridging the gap between school and work.
Our Story.
About Project Employ
Project Employ is a charity that helps young people with disabilities learn the skills they need to gain meaningful employment in the community.
At Project Employ, we know that employing someone with an intellectual disability gives them an opportunity that can change their lives, as well as benefits to business with the diverse skills, talents and abilities that they bring. We also know there is a gap between school and employment for young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and learning differences and our mission is to bridge that gap.
Our Story
Project Employ was established in 2021 with a mission to support young people with intellectual disabilities and learning differences during their transition into the workforce. We identified a gap between leaving school and gaining meaningful employment, and knew that this was an opportunity to support young people into the workforce. The organisation aims to enable these individuals to lead fulfilling and productive lives, foster diversity in the workforce, and build a supportive community. Leveraging expertise in disability support, teaching, and youth services, Project Employ is committed to making a positive impact in this field.
Project Employ Timeline
June 2019 – ‘Project Employ’ video series launches – featuring stories about young people with disabilities employed in NZ workplaces, and their employers, the web series was produced by Sarah Dann-Hoare as the recipient of a 2017 AMP Dare to Dream Award. Watch all 10 videos here to see how young people with disabilities can thrive in the workplace, and how employing someone with an intellectual disability can benefit businesses.
August 2019 – Training Café research tour – Sarah Dann-Hoare visits well-established training cafes in Oxford, Brighton and Eastbourne to meet with owners, operators, trainees and charities, to learn about setting up a successful Training Café.
June 2021 – The idea for Project Employ is formed. Work starts on setting up a Training Café to support young people with disabilities as they transition into the workforce.
January 2022 – Project Employ is awarded charitable status
June 2022 - Flourish Cafe opens - the first NZ training cafe for youth with intellectual disabilities and learning differences!
December 2022 - First trainees graduate with 100% of them employed after graduating
Our Mission
To help young people with intellectual disabilities or learning differences find and retain meaningful, paid employment by providing employability and life skills training in a community-based setting; to give them a sense of direction, purpose and belonging within their local community; to remove barriers to work by establishing relationships with local companies; to give young people with intellectual disabilities or learning differences the life choices that others take for granted.