Pedal for Empowerment changing lives

The program is a vocational training course that helps provide employment opportunities for vulnerable young Victorians.

The introductory bicycle mechanic course teaches participants basic workshop skills as wells as skills relevant to employment in general.

This includes resume writing, interview preparation and learning workplace rights.

Good Cycles Geelong has recently started its fourth edition of the program.

Lauchie Maddelini was part of the first program to be run in Geelong.

He now works at Good Cycles’ Melbourne branch, where he has been selected as an Occupational Health and Safety representative.

He said PEP was very helpful.

“The trainers were great, and I learnt a lot. I am excited to be learning new things in my role at Good Cycles and am working with Belinda, the Transitional Employment manager to set some goals for my future.”

Good Cycles Geelong quickly formed relationships with local job service providers who refer clients to them from both the Greater Geelong and Surf Coast region.

They run a community bike hub from Centrepoint Arcade in Little Malop Street where they sell refurbished bikes.

The money from this and all Good Cycles’ other revenue from commercial activities go towards their social programs, including PEP.

At the end of their training each of the program’s participants gets to keep one of their rebuilt bikes, along with a helmet, bike lock and light.

Good Cycles Geelong recently received a $1,000 grant from the Ashbury Community Fund to help them pay for these pieces of equipment.

They have also benefited greatly from the support of the Geelong Community Foundation P500, and Give Where You Live Geelong.