We’ve joined forces with CBRE and Maroo to create jobs for Australians with disabilities and Indigenous people

Aruma, a national human rights and disability charity, Maroo, an Indigenous construction and services company, and CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, a global leader in integrated facilities management services, are collaborating to promote employment for people with disabilities and Indigenous people and to deliver integrated facilities management services across Australia.

This is Australia’s first private-sector collaboration with a focus on improving career opportunities in facilities management for people with disabilities and Indigenous people through direct employment, subcontracting, mentoring, and training. The alliance agreement between Aruma, Maroo and CBRE will provide much needed employment options.

Under the brand “Equalify” the three companies will not only provide employment opportunities but will work together to advocate for change through awareness campaigns and thought pieces.

“At Aruma, we exist to support people with a disability to live a great life. A life where they have choice and control. There are 250,000 people with a disability around Australia that are job-ready,* and the alliance is one way Aruma is helping to match them with meaningful employment opportunities,” said Dr Martin Laverty, CEO of Aruma.

Aruma supports over 5,500 people with a disability Australia-wide and employs around 500 people with a disability through supported employment, including in facilities management.

Mark Coleman, CEO of Maroo, said: “We’ve realised strong growth in the Indigenous business sector in recent years and we hope that sharing our knowledge and experience will replicate these outcomes and in turn achieve greater equality for all underrepresented Australians.”

“Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is fundamental to who we are as a global organisation. This new alliance will help deliver meaningful economic opportunities and more equitable outcomes for both people with disabilities and Indigenous people, thereby advancing change for our employees and the communities we serve,” said Jayne Pryce, Regional President, CBRE GWS Enterprise Asia Pacific.

*Disability Employment Landscape Research Report by the University of Adelaide