Driving lesson program helps young Indigenous people overcome barriers

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Getting a driver's licence is a rite of passage for many young people, but it's not always a straightforward process. Some learners have no one to teach them, but a program in South Australia is helping to fix that.

Transcript

00:00 A community driving program has given Kyron McArthur the keys to life.

00:07 Now he's got his P-plates, he's working as a first year apprentice mechanic.

00:11 I don't think I would have the job to be honest with you if I didn't have a license.

00:15 He got it with support from Nunga Driving, a community program which helps young Indigenous

00:20 people overcome barriers to getting a license.

00:24 For learners, it's an affordable move in the right direction, and a big saving from the

00:28 usual cost of $80 a lesson.

00:31 I only have to pay $10 for my driving lessons which has helped out a lot because I probably

00:35 wouldn't have been able to pay for my lessons in the time that I needed to get my license.

00:40 The program facilitator hopes to have a lasting impact.

00:44 It's just been really rewarding to see these young people and they've been really grateful.

00:48 The program is modelled on similar programs seen elsewhere, which experts say has helped

00:53 people to gain and retain employment, especially in regional areas.

00:58 Because in the city you have buses, trains, trams, stuff like that, but in country towns

01:03 like this, it's kind of imperative to have a license and a good working car.

01:08 Helping young Indigenous people hit the accelerator on their future.

01:12 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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