Hand Brake Turn

HBT Central Coast

Meet the Crew

• HBT Central Coast Manager: Ed McCarthy
• Employment Placement Consultant: Ross Clark
• Youth Worker: Ross Clark
• Administrator: Heidi Kitchen
• Mechanic: Frank Van Gestel
• Spray Painter: Gordon Briggs
• Panel Beater: Stephen Marcuccio

Case Studies

‘Beau’ was referred to us by Juvenile Justice. He had moved to the area recently and was looking to change his life and have a fresh start. He had a keen interest in mechanics and was looking for gainful employment. As Beau moved through the course he began to settle down and focus and in doing so took out the Trainers Award for spray painting. He approached a local business near where he lives and applied for a work trial there. As this was March they were not looking to place anyone in a position but were waiting till next January. Within 2 weeks, they were so impressed by Beau’s attitude and keenness that they approached him at the end of the work trial and asked him to commence full time work with them on the following Monday. Beau has moved on from where he was before he came to the Central Coast and did Hand Brake Turn and is now a responsible young man contributing to the community. He has moved into independent living and is doing extremely well. His employers are very impressed with him, and are now asking Hand Brake Turn for someone to place for next year.

‘Josh’ came to us with only a year 8 education and as a dual client with Juvenile Justice. He too had an interest in the automotive field but couldn’t get a start anywhere. His father was concerned with who he was hanging around with and was not there through the day to see what he was up to. Josh would come in and not say a word - a quiet achiever. He would keep to himself and not say a lot. As the program moved through its stages so did Josh. He slowly came out of himself and began to interact with others. He gained his work trial with a local business and worked very hard to impress his boss. He did this so well that his employer looked into TAFE courses for him. But because of his lack of education experience, he couldn't get in. Not to be discouraged, Josh spoke to us and we assisted him in accessing a course to complete his year 10 with ET Australia. This was a very intensive 15 week course, and he also continued to work 2 days a week at the shop where he completed his work trial. Josh's father said that he would come downstairs at times at 2am and find his son asleep with the books spread out in front of him. Josh completed his year 10 and is now working part time still in the same shop.
 

 Testimonials

“I love the projects. One day I’ll have my own business, doing restorations, spray painting” - Sol

“Hand Brake Turn had set her mind at gaining a job. It is just the perfect thing to get into” - Amanda's parents

“Some people can’t get through school and this is more hands on so it’s like a real job. I was always the class clown so school didn’t suit me much. I am now in my second year as a spray painter” - Matthew

“I never would've got a start in the smash repair industry if it wasn’t for Hand Brake Turn” - Rocky

Supporters

• Central Coast Community Chest
• Mingara
• Pacer 
• Meguiar’s House of Colour
• Penrite
• de Beers Paints
• Sidchrome / Stanley / ABW Tools
• St George Foundation
• NRMA Batteries
• NRMA Insurance
• NRMA Road Service
• Rotary International
• Clubs NSW
• Tuggerah Lakes Memorial Club
• Gosford RSL
• Wyong Rugby Leagues Club Group
• Halekulani Bowling Club
• Doyalson Wyee RSL
• Ourimbah Lidsarow RSL
• Lions Club
• Coolibah Convertibles

Contact us

We always welcome interested young people, parents, schools, community groups, local business, government representatives and industry leaders to visit our centre to learn more about Concern Australia and the Hand Brake Turn program.

To learn more about HBT and the various ways it is turning young lives around and/or to arrange a visit, please contact us at:

Hand Brake Turn - Central Coast
10 Dignity Crescent, Gosford West NSW 2250
PH: 02 4323 6309
Fax: 02 4323 6389

Email us: hbt.cc@concernaustralia.org.au