Multilingual driving school hits the streets

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This article was published 11/08/2023 (957 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Learning to drive can be difficult enough without having to worry about a language barrier with your instructor. And that’s the problem that Samuel Solomon, an entrepreneur originally from Ethiopia, is looking to solve through his Aksum Driving School which offers instruction in English, Arabic, Amharic and Tigrinya.

“There is a demand for driving education,” Solomon said. “Driving is not just a luxury but a necessity for daily life, especially in our winter climate.”

Solomon’s school offers both practical instruction and online knowledge test preparation courses in each of the four languages, which helps prepare his students for the knowledge test required for obtaining a driver’s licence. He also offers interpretation services for written tests, providing crucial assistance to those who might face language barriers.

Having started operations just last month, Solomon said his driving school has garnered positive feedback, particularly from high school students and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

“Our services are affordable compared to other driving schools,” Solomon stated. “It’s affordable, flexible in scheduling and linguistically accessible.”

Solomon said the preparation for road tests is priced at $45 per hour, which he said is competitive. The knowledge test preparation comes at a range of $20 to $25 for half an hour, catering to those who prefer to study themselves and then undergo Solomon’s expert review. He also provides weekend and evening services, catering to the varied schedules of its clientele.

Solomon’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the supportive business environment in Brandon. Acknowledging the assistance he received from organizations such as Community Futures Westman and Futurpreneur, Solomon stressed that starting a business in Brandon is feasible. While securing funds initially proved challenging, the community’s backing and available resources provided a foundation for his driving school.

As a newcomer to Canada in 2017, Solomon previously worked at Westman Immigrant Services, assisting fellow newcomers in settling within the community. His experience impressed upon him the need for accessible driving education.

In response to the challenges, Solomon advocated for increased grant programs to support new startups. He expressed his preference for grants over loans due to cultural influences and his desire to avoid loan obligations. Despite the challenges, Solomon asserted that the processes involved in running his business have been manageable and that maintaining focus and commitment is paramount.

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