A sudden increase in demand for the TAC L2P Program has led to Central Grampians LLEN issuing an urgent callout for volunteer mentors in Ararat and St Arnaud.
With the waitlist for the learner driver program currently at a ten-year high, Central Grampians LLEN recently received a contract extension from the Department of Transport and Planning to deliver the learner driver program for at least another 12 months.
Executive Officer, Jane Moriarty said the organisation is desperately seeking fully licensed drivers to help supervise young learners while they gain valuable driving experience.
“In our area, there are many young people who don’t have access to a supervising driver or suitable vehicle to clock up the 120 hours of driving they need to sit for their probationary licence,” Ms Moriarty said.
“The TAC L2P Program has helped countless local learners get their P-plates but currently we don’t have enough mentors to meet the demand which is disappointing for the young people on our waitlists in Ararat and St Arnaud.”
TAC L2P mentors must be over the age of 21, hold a full driver’s licence and be able to commit to supervising one drive per week on average.
Ms Moriarty said mentoring isn’t as daunting as community members may think.
“A common concern we get from potential mentors is that they would be scared to get into a car with a learner driver,” she said.
“The beauty of the TAC L2P Program is that all learners have an intake drive with a professional driving instructor prior to beginning the program. This is to ensure they are competent to get out on the road.
“We also conduct match meetings between learners and mentors to make sure both parties feel comfortable about driving together. As a result, our current mentors report feeling confident supervising their learners on drives.”
To help community members learn more about mentoring for the program, Central Grampians LLEN is hosting ‘drop in mornings’ in Ararat and St Arnaud this month. CGLLEN Youth Project Officer, Penny Walton-Bourke will be at cafes in both towns with brochures and information packs.
Monday 15 May – Fred and Bet’s Cafe, Ararat, 10am until 12pm.
Tuesday 23 May – Country Delights Cafe, St Arnaud, 10.30am until 12.30pm.
Anyone interested in becoming a mentor is encouraged to drop into the cafés during these times and have a chat with Penny about what is involved.
For further information please contact:
Jessie Newton on 03 5352 3266 or email media@cgllen.org.au.
PHOTO: Central Grampians LLEN Youth Project Officer, Penny Walton-Bourke will be at cafes in Ararat and St Arnaud this month to help community members learn more about mentoring for the TAC L2P Program. The program is desperately seeking volunteers to help supervise young learner drivers.