By Fatima Halloum
Seventeen students from across Melbourne’s west have graduated from a new automotive program designed to keep at-risk and disadvantaged youth from engaging in anti-social behaviours.
The ‘Flip My Ride’ initiative was developed for 12-24 year olds by employment and training service AGA, in collaboration with Victoria Police, pathways group Inception Point, and Jacky’s Gym, and included students from Melton, Brimbank, Wyndham, Maribyrnong.
Participants learnt automotive trade skills, first-aid, money management, taxes, anger management, and nutrition and with each milestone achieved, were gifted vouchers or taken on excursions.
Fifteen-year-old Shalai Wepa became involved in the program after being referred by her high school.
“My teacher told me to give it a go as she knew I wanted to work in automotive and get a white card,” she said.
“It’s been a fun adventure and definitely a new experience making friends and learning a few things about cars.”
A significant number of students were also referred from Victoria Police’s offender management program.
“We had really good reports on how the kids interacted in the program,” Victoria Police acting senior sergeant Justin Watkins said.
“They are engaging now, their willingness to learn has come leaps and bounds from where it was from the start and their improvement has come a long way.”
Senior Sergeant Watkins said programs like Flip My Ride made a huge difference o the lives of at risk youth.
“We don’t support every program but Flip My Ride stuck out to us because AGA had the foresight to look into the future of possible employment by introducing the kid’s to different trades,” he said.
“These kids got to learn a trade which can help them in the future, the next step is for them to get employment and keep that sustainability for the future.”
Ms Wepa said the program encouraged her to look at future possibilities.
“With my age now, I still have a lot ahead of me so I’m just trying to see what I can do right now and make my path solid when I know what I want to do,” she said.
The car the students restored, a Toyota Camry, will be auctioned off and proceeds will be donated to Vinnies.
Students who graduated the program also received a tool kit containing $900 worth of equipment.
Details: www.aga.com.au/flip-my-ride/
