Driver Mentors Get the Green Light

Chair of the Tasmanian Community Fund Sally Darke launched the North West Driver Mentor Program in Burnie in January.

The North West Driver Mentor Program will provide young people with access to a driver mentor to support them accrue the 80 hours required to sit their provisional drivers licence test.

The Program is a partnership between Youth, Family and Community Connections and West North West Working, generously supported by the Tasmanian Community Fund and Jobs Tasmania.

“Young people have told us that getting their licence can be really hard and that it’s affecting their ability to get work or access training. The North West Driver Mentor Program is a pilot program aimed at removing this barrier” West North West Working Program Manager Danielle Kidd said.

“Youth, Family and Community Connections has seen first-hand how the lack of a licence impacts young people’s ability to participate in employment. Offering this program allows us to address this issue, along with the other supports we offer young people in the region”, said Graham Marshall, Operations Manager for YFCC.

Sally Darke said when you have a license, you can take for granted the convenience and opportunity it brings to our day to day lives.

“Also, for those of us who have a car or someone to support us gaining our hours, we can take for granted how easy it is to get a drivers licence,” Sally said.

“For the participants in this program, it will not only help them in their future education and employment opportunities, it will have a lasting impact for the rest of their lives.”

“This is particularly the case for those who live in rural and regional areas where they need to travel for work, education and accessing services for their health, recreation and connecting with friends and family.

“The TCF are looking forward to seeing the difference this program makes in the lives of the people taking part.”

Two driver mentors have been recruited and sessions are now available for young people aged between 16 and 24 who need to get their licence to pursue work and/or training opportunities. Sessions are available across the region including the West Coast.

Young people aged between 16 and 24 who are interested in participating in this program to increase their employability skills, can contact West North West Working at  https://yfcc.com.au/north-west-driver-mentor-program/ or call 6423 6635.