Connecting for Youth Employment (CYE) began in 2013 as a response to the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs initiative that all young people should have opportunity in their own community.

Kelly Annand, General Manager of CYE says a full drivers licence opens doors to work, training and social opportunities.

“In a rural community like ours without any public transport a licence is vital for all people, especially young people.”

In 2018, 130 students turning 16 gained their learner’s licence through the programme. Thanks to a grant from Hawke’s Bay Foundation and the “amazing support” of local businesses, Lions and Rotary, the programme is heavily subsidised for the students and whānau.

Both CHB College and Te Aute College are fully supportive and provide the use of a room and computers to enable students to gain the skills required to pass their learner’s licence. CYE also has access to 7 mentors, 3 cars and 1 professional driving instructor who work with students and whānau towards gaining their restricted licence and then support with Defensive Driving Courses to progress a full license before they leave high school.

Kelly says CYE is proud to be leading the way with driver licensing for young people in Central Hawke’s Bay.

“We know that getting a young person a full clean driver’s licence before they leave high school is one of the best educational tools we can do for our young people to make them safer and law abiding drivers.”