His usual job involves shutting down some of the AFL's toughest forwards, but West Coast great Jeremy McGovern is also combatting a major barrier to Indigenous employment when he's off the field.

Together with his dad Andrew – an inaugural Fremantle Docker – the pair have helped 500 people obtain their driver's licence and unlock new employment pathways via a pioneering initiative across Western Australia.

The Wanderer Program has been a high-flying success since it was launched in July 2021 by founding partners the McGovern Foundation and Mineral Resources.

More than 80 per cent of participants in the Wanderer Program have secured employment after completing the program and attaining their driver's licence.

Run in Boorloo/Perth, Katanning, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Narrogin and Albany, the program recently reached a major milestone, with the 500th participant securing their licence, while even more are on a waitlist to join the in-demand program.

MinRes has committed $1.2 million to the Wanderer Program to help participants who don't have access to a vehicle or the funds for lessons get a provisional driver's licence.

One beneficiary is MinRes dump truck and water cart operator Ursula Lyndon, from Lockridge in Perth, as well as members of her family.

She said the McGovern Foundation had made her feel so comfortable and confident, she passed her test after just three driving lessons.

"I got my manual driver's licence through McGovern Foundation after trying for about a year through other companies," Ms Lyndon said.

"All my brothers, sisters and even my mum, has gone through McGovern Foundation to get their drivers licence, and it's changed our lives.

"We're able to help each other out, have more freedom and share the load with my nieces and nephews.

"My mum thought at 50 years-old it was too late for her to get her driver's licence, but Andrew McGovern encouraged her and helped her – it doesn't matter what age you are."

Common issues people face when they don't have their driver's licence include social isolation, unemployment and limited access to education and health services.

Andrew McGovern, who was Ursula's driving instructor, said each of the 500 participants represented someone who faced barriers but refused to let those obstacles define their future.

"Reaching 500 participants isn't just a number – it represents 500 lives transformed, 500 families impacted, and 500 new opportunities created in our communities," he said.

"The milestone validates our belief that when you give people the right support and mentorship, they can overcome any challenge."

Mr McGovern said the partnership with MinRes was transformative for the foundation, by enabling it to create direct employment pathways, be that obtaining a licence, to securing meaningful employment in the mining sector.

"Watching this program grow from a simple idea to where we are today is both humbling and inspiring," he said.

"And the growth tells us we're addressing a real need in our communities and our approach of combining practical support with genuine mentorship works."

MinRes chief executive Lithium Josh Thurlow said the miner was proud to be a Foundation partner and see the organisation evolve from its first participant in 2021.

"Congratulations to the McGovern team … we believe in their vision and are proud to have supported them since the beginning," Mr Thurlow said.

"We are thrilled to see hardworking people like Ursula gain job opportunities, now that getting their driver's licence is no longer a barrier."