Ford Australia supports young design talent

The secondary school students, entrants to the annual VACC Automotive Design Awards, scored the internships with Ford Australia as part of the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 'Work Experience Program'.

"We are delighted to work in partnership with VACC and to offer the Ford Internship Program at the 2014 VACC Automotive Design Awards," Ford Australia, Government Affairs Director, Ian Mearns, said.

Aman Bhatti, from Lavalla Catholic College, and Hamzah Brown, from Trinity Grammar School, Kew, were selected by Ford Australia as 'high potential' entrants for the inaugural Ford Internship Program.

"Being at the Ford Design Studio was an eye opening experience and it was amazing to see how everything comes together, from concept to reality," Hamzah said. "I took new and improved skills out of the internship which I know I'll be using, not just this year, but well into my future."

Bhatti also praised the experience: "I picked up tips and learnt new techniques which I've used in my 2014 competition entry. It was a great opportunity and it has made me more determined than ever to follow a career in automotive design," Aman said.

The VACC Automotive Design Awards is an annual automotive design competition for secondary and tertiary students in Victoria. With a total prize fund of $18,000, entrants are challenged to design the vehicles of tomorrow. The 2014 VACC Automotive Design Awards will be presented on 26 June at Deakin Edge, Federation Square, and will not only recognise young automotive designers, but will also shine the spotlight on the automotive design industry.

The Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, David Hodgett, will present the Awards before more than 200 guests, including students, parents, teachers, media and members of the automotive industry.

"The message from Ford Australia is that, while manufacturing will cease in 2017, the brand is not going away. We expect Ford Australia's Product Development activities to flourish and grow in the coming years and by 2018, we expect Ford Australia to be Australia's largest automotive employer with over 1,500 highly skilled employees, including more than 1,000 designers and engineers," Mr Mearns said.

VACC has welcomed Ford Australia's contribution to the VACC Automotive Design Awards.

"This is a wonderful example of the automotive industry working together to support skills and training, and we thank Ford Australia for providing Victorian students with an opportunity to further their career," VACC Executive Director, David Purchase.

For details, visit www.vaccautomotivedesignawards.com.au