Grad Program Secures Ford Australia’s Global Role

Ford Australia has lined up designers for its 2017 graduate program that will see 23 new hires this year across product development, marketing, sales and service and finance.

With the latest recruiting, the program will have hired 59 graduates since it began in 2015.

It is part of a plan to help shape future vehicles at Ford’s Design Center in Broadmeadows in Victoria state, with other graduates taking engineering roles at other facilities in the state, including the Asia Pacific Product Development Center in Broadmeadows, Research and Development Center in Geelong and Proving Ground in Lara.

The 2-year development program is part of Ford’s campaign to stay relevant to Australian vehicle buyers after the automaker abandons local production Oct. 7.

Ford Australia President and CEO Graeme Whickman says Ford is investing in local creative and technical talent to support the automaker’s global product-development investments that include key programs such as the Ranger and Everest in Australia.

“At the same time, we continue building the team leading our local transformation plan, including the launch of 20 new or freshened vehicles by 2020,” he says in a statement.

Ford’s national sales team recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary.

Dave French, director-vehicle programs at Ford’s Australia Product Development Center, says the graduates will play a significant role in shaping the future of the global automotive industry while working in Australia.

“The Ranger and all-new Everest SUV are centerpieces of our investment in people and facilities, and a key product in our Australia lineup,” French says. “Because we are part of Ford’s global team, we work locally to create great vehicles for markets all over the world.

“We believe we have a real advantage investing this heavily in Australia because the country has rich talent and one of the leading educational systems in the world. We also partner with researchers at some of our top universities to explore new innovations for vehicles of tomorrow.”