Future is bright for Ford Alberton Technician
“There have not been many things I have been good at, but being a Ford technician is something I believe I am talented at,” said Jason Els.”
Jason Els, a talented technician and a foreman from Ford Alberton, has taken the top spot in Ford’s 2024 Skills Contest as a technician of the year.
This prestigious competition brought together over 600 Ford technicians from across the country.
The two-day competition, held in Silverton, Pretoria, from September 10 to 11, pushed contestants to their limits.
The competition started with round one, which was open to every technician working for Ford.
Three technicians from Ford Alberton entered and had to write an online test with the rest of the contestants and those who did well progressed to round two of the competition.
Because of the toughness of the competition, only Els and Crave Kock got to round two.
Round two comprised an online test with 100 questions to answer in 60 minutes and only Els triumphed to the top 10.
In the national finals, Els faced a theory test and 10 practical challenges, comprising five vehicle and five bench tests, each completed within 20 minutes.
“The competition was not about what you knew but how you applied it,” Els explained.
He said he was fully prepared for the competition.
“With the theory, I went through all the recommended books. The test was based on our Master Tech Programme and all my training over the last four years.”
Els told the Alberton Record there have not been many things he has been good at, but being a Ford technician is something he believes he is talented at.
Nico Bruyns, service manager at Ford Alberton, praised Els: “Since the first day he walked in, he said he wanted to better himself, and this achievement is proof of that. I do not know who is prouder – him or me.”
Els’ journey began as an apprentice at Ford Alberton four years ago and continued to grow within the company.
After finishing his apprenticeship, Els gained a Red Seal qualification, and he is now nearing the finish line of the rigorous Master Tech programme, which consists of 11 specialities and 140 training courses.
Els said he hopes his achievement takes him further in his career and puts him in better places.
