Waimate District Jobs Hub in conjunction with Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, Waimate District Council, Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development supports jobseekers into employment. The programme also assists jobseekers with getting a driver licence.
“Living rurally without a driver licence is a significant barrier to finding employment” said Council’s Employment Co-ordinator Lisa Dobson.
Since its inception in November 2020, Waimate District Jobs Hub has assisted with over 168 driver licences and provided over 190 hours of driving lessons.
However, a lack of driving instructors in Waimate meant getting instructors from Timaru or Oamaru, or driving learners to them, which slows down the process considerably.
In what could be called “collective community action”, local sponsorship from Fonterra, Rotary Club of Waimate and Waimate Lions Club has enabled a dedicated vehicle to be purchased for conducting driving lessons. On behalf of the Waimate District, Council acknowledges the generosity of our sponsors. Their support will help countless jobseekers and make a positive impact in the district.
Deborah Kibble, Council’s newly appointed Driver Licence Programme Coordinator will start taking bookings for lessons soon. In the meantime, she will support learners to study for the theory test, coordinate driving lessons, schedule defensive driving courses and provide transport to Timaru or Oamaru when required.
Deborah, being a Waimate local, will enable us to help more jobseekers with driving lessons and fast-track the licencing process.
Mayor Craig Rowley remarked, “Council considers the vehicle and our local driving instructor assets to our community. The availability of regular driving lessons will make a positive and tangible impact on peoples’ lives.”
Deborah is able to assist jobseekers and budding young drivers with the driver licencing process. She can be contacted on 027 689 0033 or by emailing deborah.kibble@waimatedc.govt.nz
