Neurodivergent people’s worries of struggling for career opportunities can come to an end with the Amaze Work Programme. Created by 1Utama, this is the first of its kind launched in a Malaysian shopping mall, created to help Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) adults find meaningful employment opportunities within the mall.
Systemic ableism is unfortunately still present in many corporate and other workplace environments, where only 1.4% of adults with disabilities are employed in both public and private sectors. The ones who are employed have reported facing discrimination vis-a-vis being used as workplace tokens, excluded from key organisational processes, lack of understanding of the importance of reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities such as rigid work hours, and even shortchanging people with disabilities (PwDs) with low salary and little to no bonuses.
With a tailored approach to facilitate successful hiring, training and workplace integration, Amaze Work Programme is paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive workspace for all. For three months, budding employees will first be trained by experienced job coach Moh Foong to help identify suitable roles, conduct candidate interviews, and help employees do the best they can. They are then partnered with 1Utama’s retailers that are affiliated with the programme: AEON, Nando’s and Starbucks and even given a work uniform curtesy of Bata and Matchy & Co.
“At Nando’s, our purpose is to Change Lives, Together. Through the Amaze Work Programme, we’re opening our doors wider to create opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), building on our commitment to celebrate differences and create a place where everyone is welcome and feel like they belong,” says Nando’s.
And if all things go well, there is a possibility of them getting a permanent placement in the workforce itself.
More details can be found here for more information and how to join.
