GOA :

Earlier this month, Avinash Taur, 21, won the Global Best Apprentice award instituted by the VW Group. Winning the award is a great achievement for me, he says, it “has boosted my confidence and faith in myself to give my best”. If it were not for the pandemic, I would have been in Germany to receive the award,” Taur tells TURN OF SPEED.   

Growing up in Beed, a district located 350 kms from Pune, Avinash Taur’s favourite TV shows were the National Geographic Supercars Megabuild shows as well as those on car manufacturing. This fuelled a passion for cars and created a desire in him to be an automotive engineer. At that time, Avinash could not have known that he would one day apply for the Mechatronics course at the Pune-based Skoda Auto Volkswagen Academy, and go on to win a global accolade.

Taur worked diligently for three and a half years to complete the course which accepts a select set of students who have completed their SSC exams. As Taur puts it, “The Mechatronics programme offered the dual advantage of enhancing my skills and provided increased exposure for my passion for the auto industry. In addition, automation was my area of interest. I got to learn more about different fields such as mechanical, electrical, pneumatics & hydraulics, robotics, CNC & 3D Printing.

During the course, Taur says he focused on getting practical on-field knowledge, enhancing his communication skills, time-bound project completion and taking leadership opportunities in group projects. Clearly, that paid off. His final year project, "Seat buck for virtual car simulation" helped him win the award. Through it, users can feel actual car experience, he explains. It can also be used in different car projects for simulation. The entire project was designed and manufactured in-house.

Along with Taur, his sister, Ankita, too got selected for the course and moved to Pune. With their parents working as school teachers, it was difficult for them to give up their jobs and to move to Pune in order to be with them. Therefore, it was decided that Taur’s paternal grandparents would relocate to Pune with their grandchildren, where they rented a flat in the Pune-Chinchwad area and ensured that they never missed out on home-cooked food.

For someone who grew up being passionate about cars, Taur’s favourite ones are the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Lamborghini Urus. While he has won the global award, Taur says he is not satisfied. “I would like to achieve much more.” He also has some advice for youngsters: “grab as much knowledge as you can, improve your communication skills and discipline for your assigned tasks.”