fiXit program gives young people a future
This article was first published in The Melbourne Anglican on 8 December 2025 for Concern Australia.
A car accident left Max facing a long recovery that led to disrupted schooling and disengagement.
Because of the mentoring, training and encouragement he found at Concern Australia’s Hand Brake Turn and fiXit programs, Max is now thriving in nursing school.
Concern Australia works in partnership with young people to create positive opportunities and hopeful futures through providing housing, education, mentoring and employment.
After graduating from the five-week Hand Brake Turn car course, trainees can apply to build on their skills through short-term employment with fiXit.
Since launching the social enterprise in 2021, fiXit has employed 40 young people as juniors. Young people are referred by schools, youth justice and community organisations.
The young people work alongside the fiXit team to repurpose donated cars, getting the cars ready for sale or able to be used as a training vehicle. One hundred per cent of the proceeds go toward paying the young people’s salaries.
fiXit is not only about providing employment but helping young people discover their strengths, make good choices, find a supportive community, build confidence and develop life skills.
Our purpose is to set young people on a path for a good future.
Kyle applied for fiXit after leaving school early followed by several years of unemployment. He attended the Hand Brake Turn course and was selected for fiXit because of his enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude and took every opportunity to improve his skills and develop his business understanding.
He now aspires to own his own automotive workshop.
Kyle’s supervisor Callum said Kyle had flourished both socially and professionally in his time at fiXit.
“I have seen Kyle gain so much confidence in his mechanical ability since he started with us, I sometimes forget he’s a trainee,” he said.
Concern Australia general manager of business operations Georgette Wardan is so encouraged to see young people grow and flourish when given the support they need and an employment opportunity.
“Young people often come to us after having experienced many difficulties and setbacks. We focus on their strengths, hopes and potential. In the time they are engaged with us, we see them transition from disengagement from education and employment, to become valued trainees and employees” she said.
Ms Wardan said while the young people moved on to flourish in jobs and apprenticeships, they loved to come back to visit.
“fiXit is a safe and supportive place for young people to find a positive pathway. They feel they belong here.”
Concern Australia CEO Judith Atkinson explained that Concern Australia’s vision grew out of people from Melbourne churches asking how they could make a difference for at-risk young people in the 1970s. “Today people continue to support this work in all kinds of ways – through donating an old car, paying for a young person’s course fees or volunteering in our programs – and we are grateful for all of them. Together we are creating positive opportunities and hopeful futures for young people and their families.”
People donate not just cars but scooters, motorcycles, tools and money to give the young people the materials they need to develop their skills. We continue to welcome and value donations today. To donate to Concern Australia’s program, visit the Concern Australia’s fiXit website: DONATE A CAR – fixit or FiXit – Concern Australia.
Image: Young people build confidence through Concern Australia’s fiXit social enterprise. Credit: Peace Brown
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