Arabic version: أكاديمية في كيرنز تبني مسارات للمستقبل عبر الميكانيكا

According to ABC News, Cairns resident Rob Hodge has put his life savings into Fresh Start Academy, a program offering young people practical training in barbering and mechanics. After nearly three decades working with at-risk young people in government departments, Hodge left what he described as a comfortable job to create opportunities he felt were difficult to provide within that system.

Fresh Start Academy now has 24 young people attending each semester. Participants work on cars, attend the program twice a week and can obtain a certificate in Automotive Vocational Preparation. About half of Hodge’s students are aged 15 to 17 and are disengaged from school or considered at risk of entering the justice system. The academy received $300,000 in state government Kickstarter funding through January next year, and Hodge hopes to secure longer-term support.

The workshop is run with Hodge’s son, program coordinator Traye Hodge, and a fully qualified mechanic. Community members can donate cars for repairs, while the public pays only for parts. Four participants from the first mechanics semester have moved into apprenticeships, while another four are continuing studies at TAFE.

Youth Advocacy Centre chief executive Katherine Hayes said grassroots early-intervention programs were important in addressing juvenile crime because they build skills including accountability, confidence and turning up. Hodge said purpose and pride could create lasting change, particularly for young people who have experienced disadvantage. Sixteen-year-old participant Robert Cutmore said hands-on, one-on-one learning suited him better than classroom learning; he has applied for apprenticeships after finding a future in mechanics.