A Driving Force!

People in Burngreave could soon be steering their way to a successful future, thanks to an innovative partnership between Burngreave New Deal for Communities and Nationwide Ethnic Transport Training (NETT) which will teach 160 local people to drive over the next three years.

Each learner driver will get a starter pack which includes driving assessment, their provisional licence, the theory test and the driving test – and once they’ve passed their test, they’ll be referred on to Burngreave JobNet or NETT’s HGV and PCV driving courses where they’ll get support and assistance in finding their first driving job or other job where being able to drive is essential.

Learners who need it will also be offered language lessons to help them with the driving theory test. Successful applicants who are unemployed and registered with the Sheffield Action Team will receive their lessons free of charge. Other Burngreave residents who are unwaged or on benefits who use the service will be charged the subsidised rate of just £9.50 per hour.

Nisar Ahmed, who is in charge of Employment and Enterprise at Burngreave New Deal for Communities, explains the thinking behind the project:

“There are loads of job opportunities for drivers or where being able to drive is an essential requirement, but learning to drive can be prohibitively expensive for those on low incomes. Those for whom English is not their first language can also struggle with the written theory test, so this scheme will also offer language support to those who need it.

“This is an important step forward to encourage Burngreave residents to acquire a new skill which could put them in the driving seat for new job opportunities, and we’re sure the BNDfC car, with its distinctive logo, will soon become a familiar sight on local roads.”

Hakim Wais, Director of NETT welcomed the partnership working with Burngreave New Deal for the Communities: “We have lots of people coming to us asking for HGV and PCV training who do not have a standard car licence. Thanks to this partnership, we will now be able to take someone out of unemployment and train them all the way through to a full time job in the haulage and distribution industries.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about the new driving school should contact NETT on 272 0727.