the Y
the Y
When Hannah, aged 17, called in to see the Y Ballarat Youth team recently, she had just so much news to share!
Hannah had participated in our Jump Start Automotive program in September, 2025. Taking time out from celebrating the final day of her Certificate II in Automotive (Federation TAFE), she was keen to catch up with the Jump Start team.
She was so excited by the direction her life was now taking.
While school had not really appealed, Jump Start had confirmed her passion, particularly for small engines. Her time in the program had inspired her to enrol in the TAFE course, leading to an apprenticeship at a motorcycle business in Melbourne.
Hannah had not only landed a job, but also was re-locating and moving the following day!
“It’s my dream job,” Hannah said enthusiastically. “That’s why I’m really excited about it.”
According to Hannah, the Jump Start program had provided plenty of hands-on opportunities “to take things apart”, something that was a highlight. She also was full of praise for the team and environment, which she’d found to be really welcoming and supportive.
She’d also found her work experience at Gardiner Cycles in Delacombe incredibly valuable. Jump Start had made this next step possible. “This made me realise one hundred percent that I wanted to work on motorbikes,” she said.
We love hearing from former participants of our term-based Jump Start Automotive Program, with many keeping in touch and updating the team on how they are doing.
Our incredible Jump Start team continues to do what it does so well, with four cohorts of young people a year – helping them find passion, connection, purpose and confidence.
Read more about the program here.
