Driving Employment Pathways

The DRIVE project, initiated by Singleton Council, is a response to long standing transport barriers for young people in Singleton. The project aims to provide practical assistance to external driver training programs that provide a pathway for young people to achieve a driver’s licence, gain employment and reduce the risks associated with alcohol and driving.

 The DRIVE Project is guided by the Community Planner for Singleton and the Road Safety Officer for Singleton and Upper Hunter Shire Councils bringing together a number of local organisations and programs including:

  • The Salvation Army Drive For Life program which is funded by Glencore
  • PCYC supported by Singleton Mazda
  • Key Driving School
  • TAFE NSW
  • Workskil Youth
  • Singleton Business Chamber

The DRIVE Project supports these community service partners by:

  • Assisting with the recruitment of volunteer driving supervisors/mentors
  • Providing driver supervisor training workshops
  • Providing subsidised driver education workshops

CONTEXT

Local government representation to a number of State government forums have indicated that transport services to and from Singleton are inadequate and do not meet the current and future needs of people living in Singleton to take up further education and employment opportunities. Recent New South Wales Council of Social Services (NCOSS) consultation and community forums on Youth, Employment and Alcohol and Other Drugs have identified transport as a major barrier for young people to connect to services, employment and community.  

Australian Bureau of Statistics census data (2016) indicates a downturn in the number of young people completing the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in Singleton Local Government Area (LGA) and a reduction in young people in the 10-19 year population group residing in the area.  These figures may indicate a lowering of expectations about future employment prospects and a declining motivation to complete the HSC and further education due to rural isolation, transport barriers and entrenched disadvantage.  In addition, many young people are relocating to larger population centres which provide regular transport services, tertiary education opportunities and greater employment prospects.

PROJECT AIM

The project aims to provide practical assistance to the external driver training programs that help young people develop the skills, knowledge and experience required to achieve their driver’s licence, while also reducing the risks associated with alcohol and driving.

In addition to helping young people achieve their driver’s licence, the DRIVE Project will support external programs and partnerships to:

  • Provide a focus on road and personal safety education and preparation, including the risks and responsibilities associated with alcohol and other drug use
  • Drive a reduction in alcohol related road trauma and incidents amongst 16-25-year olds
  • Increase employability amongst 16-25-year olds through digital literacy, road safety knowledge, safer driver education (including the Safer Driver course), Responsible Service of Alcohol training, driving skills, enhanced networks and support
  • Raise community awareness of the barriers faced by young people and the risks of long-term unemployment on mental health, self-esteem and employability

The Salvation Army and PCYC are volunteer organisations which manage the risk, administration , inductions and ongoing support for volunteer driver supervisors.

REGISTER A LEARNER DRIVER

Learner Drivers may be eligible for support to gain 120 hours of supervised driving

                 Salvation Army and Drive For Life - Proudly supported by Glencore                                   PCYC Singleton Logo


BENEFITS TO THE SINGLETON COMMUNITY

Addressing the dearth of transport options in Singleton will help to overcome the current disconnect between young people and further education and employment opportunities.  

A coordinated program of volunteer supervisor training and driver education to support young people to gain their L’s and supervised driving hours to achieve their P’s is a preferred solution.

Adopting an asset based community development (ABCD) approach, working with multiple stakeholders to harness existing resources and attract further financial and other support is the best option for a sustainable and successful project.

The inclusion of an evidenced based approach with the support of TAFE (teachers and students) to implement the ABCD methodology including asset mapping will highlight what we as a community have and the gaps in resources that need to be filled.

Singleton has two vehicles dedicated to supporting eligible young people to achieve 120 supervised driving hours.

BECOME A SUPERVISOR

Are you interested in becoming a driver supervisor to support young people to get on the road to a better future? 

BENEFITS

  • Vehicle provided
  • Insurance covered
  • Support young people to achieve 120 supervised driving hours
  • Mentor young people to get their P’s
  • Help link young people to education and employment
  • Volunteer your time as part of your commitment to our community

REQUIREMENTS

  • Hold an unrestricted licence for a minimum of three years
  • Working with children check
  • Current or willingness to obtain police check
  • Willing to attend three hour information and induction workshop (next workshop 25/11/2019 at 5.30pm)

Interested? Register your interest here