Maxima, a leading employment services agency, has partnered with the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA) to support the Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability (BEC) program, an initiative that is reshaping the employment landscape for people with disabilities (PWD) from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Through this collaboration, Maxima is helping to create more inclusive workplaces and transform employer perceptions about disability and diversity.
Maxima CEO, Pippa Webb, noted that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities in Australia has consistently been double that of the general population. According to 2022-23 Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, the key incentive for people with disabilities to enter the workforce is finding a job that aligns with their skills and experience.
“In our conversations with employers, we find that it’s not the jobseeker with a disability who lacks the confidence, but often the employer who is unsure about how to support them,” Ms. Webb said. “This lack of confidence is even more challenging for people with disabilities from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.”
“Maxima works with jobseekers living with disability and continues to support them once they’re in a job – at no cost to employers.”
To bridge this gap, Maxima has partnered with the Building Employer Confidence and Inclusion in Disability (BEC) program, run by the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA). This initiative provides paid internships for CALD jobseekers with disabilities, enabling them to gain valuable skills and experience while helping employers build confidence in creating inclusive workplaces.
As part of the BEC project, Maxima welcomed three interns for a 12-week internship, marking a powerful extension of the agency’s longstanding commitment to disability inclusion. These internships provide valuable work experience to CALD PWD, enabling them to develop essential skills while contributing to Maxima’s diverse and inclusive workforce. Maxima’s deep-rooted ethos of advocating for disability support — for both its staff and customers — made the partnership with MCCSA a natural fit.
Maxima brings extensive experience in providing disability employment support services and is dedicated to fostering an environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive. By participating in the BEC program, we had the to showcase our practices and demonstrate the positive impact that disability inclusion can have on a workplace, helping to break down barriers and misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities. Our role in the program also includes offering cultural awareness and disability inclusion training to staff, ensuring a seamless and supportive environment for all interns.
Since its launch, the BEC program has achieved significant milestones, not only empowering interns but also sparking essential conversations about the benefits of a truly inclusive workforce.
The ongoing collaboration between Maxima and MCCSA reinforces a shared commitment to fostering a workplace environment where people living with disability are valued and empowered. This partnership aims to promote a future in which organisations actively embrace diversity and inclusion, leading to a more equitable and productive workforce.