Moving the Mob graduates hit the streets in Cairns
Tropical North Queensland’s newest bus drivers have been handed the keys to a new career having completed the inaugural Moving the Mob trainee bus driver program at Kinetic.
Moving the Mob was launched on Gimuy Country (Cairns) this year to encourage greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation within Kinetic’s workforce and across the transport industry.
The program offers First Nations people holding a car driver’s licence flexible paid training in a supportive, culturally safe environment to become qualified and confident bus drivers.
Having attended information sessions in May, Doug Rautoka-Bon and Lisa Gibson are among eight people who have now successfully completed their driver’s license upgrade this year and are ready to hit the road and lead the way for a new wave of bus drivers.
They were supported on their journey by Leanne Barton, who helped launch Moving the Mob after previously completing Kinetic’s Women Up Front trainee driver program.
Leanne, who has gained experience as a school and route bus driver over the past 12 months, says it was a proud moment when the program delivered its first successful graduates.
“Having gone through the license upgrade process with Kinetic only a year ago myself, it was a privilege to now take on the role of mentor and support our new drivers,” Leanne said.
“Providing the public with transport is an important way we can support the community and seeing Doug and Lisa take this journey has been amazing.”
Doug has now taken on a full-time role as a route driver while Lisa is operating a school bus service to Aboriginal community Yarrabah east of Cairns.
Lisa said the opportunity to receive training and get behind the wheel of a bus and has been life changing.
“Six months ago I would never have imagined I would become a bus driver and qualified to drive heavy vehicles,” she said.
“Completing the Moving the Mob program has been a great experience and I look forward to coming to work each day and helping children get to school and home again safely.”
In addition to encouraging people to become bus drivers, Moving the Mob also provides job opportunities in other areas of the business. Six other applicants in the program have also now commenced other roles at Kinetic.
“It is important the program provides genuine career pathways so those unable to complete the license upgrade can find roles in cleaning, maintenance and other areas of the business,” Kinetic’s Talent & Inclusion Manager, Moana Matthews says.
“This is a program developed over six months in consultation with community and employment organisations, and it’s been fully embraced by our team in Cairns as we look to expand it into other parts of our business.
Kinetic’s Manager in Cairns, John O’Brien, who has been a major driver of the program said it was great to see some early success.
“Having our first bus drivers come through the program is a massive achievement and it’s great to see Doug and Lisa hitting the road and blazing a trail for others,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We’re creating employment opportunities and at the same time enriching our team with cultural diversity and understanding more reflective of this incredible community we operate in.”
“As we continue welcoming First Nations team members through the program in coming months, we may even be able to get a graduate driving a Kinetic bus in next year’s NAIDOC celebrations.”
Increasing First Nations representation in the workforce is a core sustainability priority for Kinetic, which is dedicated to exceeding its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce commitment of four per cent by 2030.
Kinetic is also currently developing its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), as part of an ongoing commitment to fostering partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, stakeholders, and communities.
Further enquiries
Steve Cadzow
Manager - Media & Communications (Northern)
0428 127 147
stevec@wearekinetic.com