Removing barriers to getting a licence
For many young people, getting a driver licence can open the way to employment, education and greater independence.
However, without access to a suitable vehicle or supervising driver, completing the required driving hours can be difficult.
PCYC Ipswich's Braking the Cycle program is helping remove this barrier by connecting learner drivers with volunteer mentors and program vehicles.
Participants receive practical driving experience, encouragement and guidance as they work towards completing their logbook hours. Volunteer mentors also help young people build confidence and develop positive road safety attitudes.
The program recently surpassed its 600th driver licence milestone, demonstrating its long-standing impact across the Ipswich region.
ETC has provided $40,000 through the ETC Community Support Fund to support PCYC Ipswich's purchase of a new Braking the Cycle vehicle.
The vehicle will help the program provide more supervised driving opportunities for young people who may otherwise struggle to complete their required hours.
Watch the video or keep reading below
Note: This video was filmed before PCYC Ipswich surpassed its 600th driver licence milestone.
A new vehicle will help more young people
The ETC-funded vehicle gives PCYC Ipswich another resource for supervised driving sessions.
It means more learners can build their driving experience with a volunteer mentor and move closer to gaining their provisional licence.
PCYC Ipswich Braking the Cycle Program Coordinator Maree Porter said every vehicle made an important difference.
"Every vehicle helps us support more young people who otherwise wouldn't have access to the supervised driving hours needed to obtain their licence. For many participants, that licence opens the door to employment, education and greater independence," Maree Porter said.
The new vehicle will support a program that has already helped more than 600 young people obtain their licences.
For each participant, the milestone can mean new places, opportunities and experiences are within reach.
Creating pathways to employment and independence
Having a driver licence can make a practical difference when a young person is looking for work, beginning training or travelling to education.
ETC's Ipswich Transition to Work program works closely with PCYC Ipswich to refer eligible young people to Braking the Cycle.
Transition to Work supports people aged 15 to 24 towards employment and education goals. ETC provides the service in Ipswich and across the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions.
ETC Youth Engagement Advisor Jhun Cortez said the new vehicle would benefit Transition to Work participants and the wider Ipswich community.
"One car will help so many of our young people in the Transition to Work program learn to drive, while also supporting the Ipswich community. Having a licence can be the difference between getting a job or missing out. This vehicle will help more young people gain the skills and confidence they need to take that next step," Jhun Cortez said.
"For many young people, obtaining a driver licence is a critical step towards securing employment, accessing education and participating more fully in their community."
The relationship between ETC's Ipswich team and PCYC Ipswich connects eligible young people with practical learner driver support.
By addressing transport as part of a young person's pathway, the partnership can help bring employment, education and greater independence within reach.
Driving past the 600-licence milestone
PCYC Ipswich's Braking the Cycle program recently surpassed its 600th driver licence milestone, highlighting its long-standing contribution to young people across the Ipswich region.
The milestone represents more than successful driving tests. For participants, gaining a licence can broaden access to employment, training and education while supporting greater independence and community participation.
PCYC Ipswich has served the local community since 1965 and offers sport, recreation and youth programs, including Braking the Cycle.
With another program vehicle available, more learner drivers can build practical experience with the support of volunteer mentors..
Supporting stronger communities through the ETC Community Support Fund
ETC is a registered charity committed to giving back to the communities in which it operates.
Through the ETC Community Support Fund, ETC supports organisations responding to community needs relating to employment, skills development and major barriers to participation.
Since its inception in 2012, the ETC Community Support Fund has provided over $3.4 million to community organisations, including $2.4 million in the last five years alone.
ETC's $40,000 contribution helped PCYC Ipswich purchase a new Braking the Cycle vehicle, creating more opportunities for young people to complete supervised driving sessions and work towards gaining their licences.
With another vehicle available, more learner drivers can work towards the mobility, confidence and independence needed to access employment, training, education and community life.
