Five Pilbara organisations received grants for driver’s licence programs to help get people into jobs

Five Pilbara community organisations have received State Government grants for their driving programs which help people from disadvantaged backgrounds obtain a licence. The Youth Involvement Council, Bloodwood Tree Association, Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation, and Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation received the grants through the Government’s Success of Driving Access and Equity Program. All five organisations run programs aimed at helping people in the Pilbara acquire a driver’s licence. Bloodwood Tree Association received $409,080 for its enhanced driver training program. Bloodwood chief executive Sharon Bambling said the program provided vital support to community members seeking employment. “The funding means we will be able to provide our driver training service to the Pilbara,” she said. “The program enables people to get their driver’s licence which gives them a greater opportunity for employment. “This is a service that they might not otherwise have in town.” Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel said the programs were designed to get people into the workforce. “As the engine room of the nation’s economy, there are incredible employment opportunities in the Pilbara region, but access to a driver’s licence is often required,” he said. “The fact this program is helping disadvantaged people overcome barriers to access employment is incredible, and I am thrilled this investment by our Government will see it continue for another year.” Four Kimberley organisations also received funding as part of the program with a total of $2,907,244 awarded to the nine North West groups The first year of the program helped 243 people obtain their licence. Two-thirds of the participants in the programs identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.