Capricorn has announced the top five finalists of its Rising Stars Apprentice of the Year 2023 award, with Tyler Rees, Chelsea Bowers, Matilda Gook, and Joshua Will to vie for the coveted title, to be revealed in August.
The finalists received a $1,000 Repco voucher, $1,000 cash from Castrol and tickets to two Repco masterclasses, while the Top 5 workshops received a 12-month Repco Autopedia subscription. The overall winner will receive an additional $5,000 in prize money from Castrol and a Capricorn Rising Stars trophy. The winner’s workshop will also receive complimentary enrolment in the Workshop Whisperer’s Service Advisor Pro online programme.
Brad Gannon, CEO Automotive at Capricorn, said the awards showcased the talent and diversity of automotive aftermarket apprentices from panel and fabrication to auto electrical, heavy diesel, general mechanical and more.
“We congratulate all the finalists in these special awards and we wish the best of luck to our top five finalists,” said Gannon.
The CEO described the level of passion among the contestants as “remarkable” and praised their employers for developing the next generation of technicians.
“It’s amazing to see how dedicated [the Rising Stars] are to achieving excellence, making us confident that the future of the industry is in extraordinarily capable hands,” he said.
“We thank our passionate members who took the time to nominate their exceptional apprentices. Your dedication to recognise future talent is invaluable and we are grateful for your support. Together, we shape a brighter tomorrow for the automotive industry.”
Now in its sixth year, the award received more than 550 nominations from automotive businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Capricorn said that by recognising the contribution of automotive apprentices, the organisation aims to help build a more sustainable industry and forge deeper relations with young repairers and workshops.