By Tate Papworth
An automotive school in Braybrook has been helping troubled youth make a U-turn and get their lives back on track for a quarter of a century.
The Hand Brake U-Turn program was started in 1994 in Port Melbourne as a diversion program for young people coming out of youth justice. It has since moved to Braybrook and last week celebrated the 10,000th student to complete the seven-week program.
Jayden, a Year 9 student from Staughton College, Melton South, was referred to Hand Brake U-Turn by his teachers after becoming disengaged at school.
He happily agreed and his teacher said he immediately showed his love for cars, especially all things Holden.
Program manager Ian Dubbeld lauded Jayden’s commitment to the program.
“Jayden has attended every class for seven weeks and has shown a real dedication to work in the automotive industry and I’m sure he will do well,” he said.
Having finished the program, Jayden now aspires to be a mechanic. He recently applied for a role at a local Holden dealership, which he hopes will launch his career.
Jayden is just one of many success stories to come out of the program, which runs three days a week and teaches automotive and life skills for young people aged 15–21.
A 2017 program graduate, Phil, was last year nominated for Apprentice Motor Mechanic of the Year.
Phil was a youth offender and credits the program with turning his life around.
“I used to want to steal cars, now I want to fix cars,” Phil said.
For further information visit: www.concernaustralia.org.au/hand-brake-turn/
