Charl Crous
Apprentice Student of the Year, 2008 - Victoria University
Certificate III, Engineering - Mechanical Trade, 2007 - Victoria University
Diploma of Engineering Technology, 2006 - Victoria University
Mechanical Engineering Apprentice - Ford Performance Racing
"I enjoy the skill and knowledge required to be a good tradesperson. Someone is relying on me to produce an item to the best of my ability in the quickest and most effective manner. Some might say that is pressure - I see it as a challenge. My commitment comes from my love of learning. My father used to always say: 'You're only going to learn it once, so do it properly.'
Our industry advances at a rapid rate, and like the V8 super cars I work on for Ford, the machines are now faster and more precise than ever before. I am part of a 40-person team, and even though we all have specific jobs, we all have a common goal to ensure what we do helps produce a fast, safe and reliable car.
One of my roles at Ford is to work with engineers to advise on the machining of new parts. The parts I make could be sent to any department, engine room, composite shop or fabrication area. Once they are assembled on the cars, the cars are loaded onto transporters and taken all around Australia and the world to compete.
In my third year, I decided to undertake extra study in CAD-CAM and CNC machining two nights a week so I could move onto something more challenging. I am hoping to do a few more courses in the near future - perhaps an advanced diploma in automotive engineering. Each course I do opens up a new door for me and helps fast-track my future."
