By CASEY NEILL
DANDENONG police are helping local youths get a start in the auto industry.
They donated a car and two motorcycles to Concern Australia’s Hand Brake Turn (HBT) last Wednesday, 23 July.
The not-for-profit Concern Australia program gives 15 to 20-year-olds a chance to get their lives on track through training in mechanics, panel beating and spraying.
It runs five nine-week courses throughout the year and students who complete it achieve a certificate II in autobody repair technology.
Dandenong Sergeant Joseph Herrech said the donation was a way of giving back to the local community.
“We’ve been working with Hand Brake Turn for seven years,” he said.
“As part of the program, participants are given the opportunity to develop practical, hands-on skills which can be the first step towards a more positive and secure future.
“The vehicles that we’re donating were part of a pool of items that were abandoned or unclaimed.
“They’ll be used for training purposes to give participants the skills required to work in the automotive industry.”
HBT manager Marc Clothier said many program participants had experienced difficulty within the mainstream education system.
“Without donations such as these, we wouldn’t be able to run programs that not only develop practical skills but social development, positive thinking and confidence,” he said.
Young people generally come to HBT through referrals from job agencies and schools.
spokeswoman Rebecca Kats said: “Most of the kids who do badly at school do really well here because they’re using their hands.”
She said the units they completed at HBT would count toward auto industry apprenticeships.
“Nine weeks here can literally cut 12 months off an apprenticeship,” she said.
The course also sends participants into apprenticeships with a head-start in auto knowledge, an idea of what aspect of the industry they’re good at and enjoy, and job interview techniques.
HBT also picks up donated vehicles to use for parts, to sell for scrap or restore.
Students must be aged between 15 and 20 years old and have basic literacy and numeracy skills, a willingness to learn and gain employment and a genuine interest in the automotive industry.
Call 9793 1466 for more information.
Hand Brake Turn is at 7 Hilton Street, Dandenong.
