Leveraging the success of Vocational Partnerships Group’s (VPG) established learner driver program, the organisation has secured additional funding to create more opportunities for jobseekers in Far North Queensland to get behind the wheel and into work.
Co-funded by VPG and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment through the Local Recovery Fund, the new ‘Driving Work’ program will support young job seekers to access supervised driving hours and obtain provisional and machinery licenses.
VPG Chief Executive Officer, Maryanne Tranter says the program is responsive to local industry needs and will assist in maximising employment opportunities for vulnerable job seekers.
“Having a license is becoming a pre-requisite for more and more entry level positions, either as an inherent requirement of the role, or to enable young people to travel to work safely and reliably.
“We know that disadvantaged young people can experience barriers facilitating licence participation, and the Driving Work program will provide them support to achieve a license.
“This innovative approach to address youth unemployment is a key strategy to maximise employment opportunities and reduce labour market disadvantage for vulnerable job seekers.
“The program also offers young people opportunities to develop practical life management skills in car maintenance and ownership to achieve independence and give them a step-ahead in starting the next phase of their lives,” said Ms Tranter.
Local Jobs Program Employment Facilitator, Tamilyn Brennan, says licencing was identified as a structural barrier to young people accessing employment in the Cairns region.
“Licensing is one of the key challenges young people face when seeking apprenticeships, traineeships and entry level employment.
“This is evidenced locally where uptake of these roles by suitable candidates is being impeded by licensing pressures.
“Creating opportunities for job seekers to obtain licenses will ensure locals are skilled to meet the need of industry,” says Ms Brennan.
The ‘Driving Work’ program forms part of a wider action plan that has been formulated by the FNQ Youth Employment Body led by VPG, which aims to overcome barriers to taking up employment for young people locally.
The program will be open to eligible jobseekers who are at different stages of their licensing journey, providing funded driving lessons, facilitating access to testing, and providing opportunities to obtain machinery licenses to those who hold current provisional licenses.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to expand our current driving program to more local jobseekers in our region,” says Ms Tranter.
Interested job seekers are encouraged to contact VPG to determine eligibility.
Meet Rory
Participating in VPG’s driving program, Rory has accessed supervised driving lessons to achieve his required logbook hours and obtain his provisional license.
Residing in an area with limited access to public transport, obtaining a driver’s license has meant Rory could consistently meet his work and study commitments and achieve independence.
Through his employment he has saved enough money to purchase his first car. He has also participated in practical learning activities at VPG to develop basic car maintenance and ownership skills required when having a driver’s license and owning a vehicle.
