About Project Employ
Who We Are:
Project Employ is a charity that creates pathways to meaningful employment for rangatahi with intellectual disabilities and neurodiversity.
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.
What We Do:
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 initiatives include:
Flourish Café Training Program: A 9-month hands-on hospitality training program teaching customer service, safe food handling, teamwork, and time management. Graduates gain confidence and real-world skills for sustainable employment.
Employer Partnerships: We work with businesses to develop inclusive hiring practices, accessibility solutions, and supportive policies.
Mentorship & Support Networks: Trainees are connected with mentors and peers to ensure long-term success.
Advocacy & Awareness: We educate the community and champion the rights of disabled workers.
Our Purpose:
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.
Our Values:
Empower: Helping neurodivergent individuals achieve their full potential and live their best lives
Engage: Connecting with supporters, stakeholders, and communities to achieve the greatest impact
Belong: Valuing every person ensuring they feel seen, supported, and connected.
What Employers Are Saying
“Having two graduates join our teams has been a true breath of fresh air. Their curiosity and desire to learn has challenged our own ways of thinking and doing things – nothing like a new voice to help you see things differently!”
— Fonterra“The graduates presence has helped shape our team culture and has softened many of our team members, which is exactly what we needed during these times. They are an important pillar for us.”
— The Hotel Britomart“Through our partnership with Project Employ, we have had the privilege of welcoming graduates to the JW Marriott Auckland team. We are grateful to have them onboard, as well as for the opportunity to collaborate with Project Employ in creating inclusive employment opportunities
— JW Marriott AucklandWhat Our Trainees’ and Their Whānau Are Saying
“Being a trainee has helped me develop more confidence and social skills. I was always task orientated rather than interpersonally orientated due to my disorder. I wouldn’t talk to people voluntarily before Project Employ. Now, I have the confidence to talk to people (even strangers) with ease. Project Employ has really helped me with that.”
— Project Employ Graduate“Our daughter, who has ASD, has always suffered from anxiety, depression and extremely low self-esteem, after years of growing up in a world where she felt that she did not fit in. We cannot be more grateful to Project Employ for turning her life around and the subsequent impact it’s had on our family.”
— Whānau of Project Employ Graduate“Thanks to Project Employ, he has transformed into a happy, independent, responsible and hardworking young man. He had found purpose, joy and community, becoming well loved for his constant chatting and vibrant personality. I honestly cannot imagine we would be today with the opportunities and support Project Employ has given us.”
— Whānau of Project Employ GraduateProject Employ Timeline
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10 JUNE 2022 - Get keys to the café in Takapuna.
12 JUNE 2022 - Working Bee to prepare café for opening.
15 JUNE 2022 - First intake of Project Employ trainees attend Orientation Day.
11 JULY 2022 - Flourish Café soft launch opening. Trainees proudly put on their Flourish Café aprons for the very first time.
2 SEPTEMBER 2022 - Official opening of Flourish Café.
SEPTEMBER 2022 - We welcome Gateway students from Takapuna Grammar School and Westlake Boys.
13 DECEMBER 2022 - Graduation for the first cohort of Project Employ trainees.
2 DECEMBER 2022 - Invited to provide coffee at the Air New Zealand Enable Christmas Market.
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JANUARY 2023 - First cohort graduation, and second intake of Project Employ trainees.
10 JANUARY 2023 - Awarded the Communication and Access Award from NZSTA and Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People.
FEBRUARY 2023 - 4 graduates gain paid employment within the community.
3 MARCH 2023 - Invited to provide coffee at the NFDHH Listen Up Conference.
27 JUNE 2023 - Awarded Arthur Coombes Memorial Cup by Rotary Takapuna.
17 JULY 2023 - Second cohort graduation, and third intake of Project Employ trainees.
OCTOBER 2023 - Project Employ’s paid internship programme begins, with three graduates.
NOVEMBER 2023 - Project Employ’s second Flourish Café location opens at Air New Zealand’s Auckland head office.
6 DECEMBER 2023 - Trainees serve platters at Benefitz Christmas party.
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15 JANUARY 2024 - Third cohort graduation, and fourth intake of Project Employ trainees.
FEBRUARY 2024 - Our Supported Employment Service is launched.
19 FEBRUARY 2024 - 2 more graduates gain employment within the community.
22 FEBRUARY 2024 - Project Employ chosen as the charity for Oceanbridge Shipping’s annual charity golf day.
27 MARCH 2024 - Inaugural dinner and auction fundraiser.
JUNE 2024 - First Employer Partnership created with Hilton Auckland, and graduate begins paid internship.
JULY 2024 - Flourish Café in Takapuna turns two years old.
JULY 2024 - Forth cohort graduation, and fifth intake of Project Employ trainees.
AUGUST 2024 - Air New Zealand and Project Employ receive the Diversity Impact Award.
SEPTEMBER 2024 - 2 more graduates gain employment within the community.
DECEMBER 2024 - Flourish Café in Air NZ turns one year old.
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JANUARY 2025 - Fifth cohort graduation, and sixth intake of Project Employ trainees.
JANUARY 2025 - 5 more graduates gain employment within the community.
FEBRUARY 2025 - Acknowledged by Air New Zealand in Valuable 500 report.
MARCH 2025 - More graduates gain employment within the community.
OCTOBER 2025 - Invited by Fonterra to take part in the Big Bloom Hackathon.
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JANUARY 2026 - Graduate starts paid Internship at Flourish Café Takapuna.
FEBRUARY 2026 - Invited to submit case study for Whaikaha/NZDEN’s oneinsix.nz.
MARCH 2026 - Internship programme with Sudima launches.