The funding was used to provide simulator driving lessons for ten graduates of the English Language Partners July 2024 ESOL ROAD Code Programme (English for your Learner Licence). After achieving NZ Learner Licences, the women progressed to the 'practical driving' stage funded by GWM. Each week for eight weeks, mid October to early December 2024, the Excellence Driving Academy Simulator van and driving instructor travelled from PN to Levin to provide individual simulator driving lessons.
It has been a joy to watch the women develop basic driving skills over the past eight weeks, and to see their confidence to be behind the wheel of the car and on the road grow each week. The women started lessons focusing on safety basics, hand positioning on the steering wheel, seat positioning, maneuvering skills and braking. Gradually sessions included driving in busy traffic, navigating intersections, road signs and pedestrian crossings, in addition to driving at speed on the open road.
Catherine Taylor, Operations Coordinator, ELP Levin
The women now have basic practical driving skills and the boost in confidence needed to prepare for 'on road' practical experience to achieve a restricted licence. The Latino Women's group is registered with Change Makers Wellington and are awaiting sufficient volunteer driving instructors to enable supervised 'on road' practical driving experience to achieve a NZ 'Restricted Licence'. A NZ restricted licence will enable the women to legally drive themselves and their dependent family members for education, daily life activities and eventually employment. This achievement is vital for these former refugee women as Levin does not have any public transport. At present the women walk or use bicycles to travel around Levin.
The women wish to pass on their thanks and appreciation to Graduate Women Manawatu Inc.
Step 1: Achieve a New Zealand 'Learner Licence' (ESOL Road Code Programme, English Language Partners, Levin)
Step 2: Practical driving experience on the Simulator with an English speaking Driving Instructor (Excellence Driving Academy, PN)
Step 3: Friday practical 'drives' x 8 in the Simulator, parked outside ELP Levin (Excellence Driving Academy)
The Simulator van parked outside ELP Levin on Fridays. Power cord via the ELP office window!