During 2023, Marlborough REAP partnered with Red Cross in Blenheim, Pathways to Settlement and Pathways to Employment to work with refugees from Colombia who had settled in Blenheim and were seeking to gain their New Zealand Driver Licence.
Ninety-five refugees from Colombia settled in the Marlborough region that year, including 70 children.
The new immigrants wanting to learn to drive were referred by Red Cross in Blenheim to REAP Marlborough where Sharon Blount is Kaiwhakahaere/CEO.
“We provided driver training for 19 refugees and 18 of those went on to pass their learner licence with 11 then going on to sit and pass their restricted tests. Five have since gone on to sit and pass their defensive driving course and seven have subsequently sat and passed their full licence. It has been a very successful journey,” Sharon says.
“Shona Winter, our ACE Facilitator found the biggest issues in providing the training came down to cultural differences and language. Spanish is the refugees’ first language and once the Red Cross supplied a translator to assist with literacy, we quickly overcame that barrier.”
Literacy and numeracy tutor Sara Harwood worked with translator Carina Gonzalez to develop the Driving for Success game into a suitable resource, and the team also developed additional resources to support the programme.
“As with all learning experiences, the team went at each individual learner’s pace with no set time frames to meet,” Sharon says.
The restricted, full licence and defensive driving programmes were delivered by Eddie van der Westhuizen, a fully qualified instructor and a previous driver licence testing officer.
“Eddie usually took our Spanish translator with him when the former refugees were first doing their practical lessons, but he found that by the time they were ready to sit their full licence and defensive driving tests, their level of English language and comprehension had increased to a point where a translator was no longer required.”
When the learners had met all licence requirements, they were then supported by REAP to sit their licences at the local AA.
Sharon says one of the highlights of the programme was REAP being part of the successful journey of each individual. “The team developed strong connections with the learners and felt part of the journey. It was great to see people progress from step to step.”
Feedback from learners has been equally positive with some calling the ability to achieve a driving licence life changing as it has increased their opportunities for employment.
“Blenheim doesn’t have a public transport system that suits workers operating outside the CBD so a driver’s licence is needed if people want to secure work in the wider region,” Sharon says.