Celebrating the Future of Automotive Excellence: The 2023 Capricorn Rising Stars Top 5 Finalists Revealed!

After an exhilarating year, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! It’s time to unveil the extraordinary Top 5 Finalists of the 2023 Capricorn Rising Stars award, showcasing the best apprentices in the automotive industry.

With over 500 nominations received, we were awe-struck by the exceptional talents of the top five finalists who are already making waves as true leaders in their workshops. They have fearlessly taken on advanced tasks typically reserved for more experienced professionals. In some cases, they have risen to the occasion, single-handedly running workshops with dedication and expertise, showing their commitment to our industry.

The level of passion these Rising Stars exhibit is remarkable. It’s amazing to see how dedicated they are to achieving excellence, making us confident that the future of the industry is in extraordinarily capable hands. It’s a delight to witness such a remarkable calibre of nominations, reaffirming our faith in the talents within our industry.

Brad Gannon, Capricorn CEO of Automotive, stresses the immeasurable value of supporting apprentices on their journey. "Completing an automotive apprenticeship is no easy feat, and the shortage of qualified technicians in the auto industry underscores the crucial need to train and nurture the next generation. The Capricorn Rising Stars Award aims to boost the morale of these aspiring automotive professionals and instil in them a sense of purpose and confidence. Together, we create a robust pipeline of talent that ensures the industry’s long-lasting success and innovation."

We’re proud to introduce the phenomenal finalists for the highly anticipated 2023 Capricorn Rising Stars award: Chelsea Bowers, Jaidyn Seng, Joshua Will, Matilda Gook and Tyler Rees. The anticipation builds as we eagerly await the announcement of the Overall Winner in the upcoming August edition of Ignition. Stay tuned for an exhilarating celebration of automotive excellence.

Big thanks to our incredible sponsors — Castrol, Repco and The Workshop Whisperer — for their generous support and contributions, ensuring the winners and their nominating workshops receive well-deserved recognition and incredible prizes. Your commitment to empowering the Rising Stars of our industry is truly commendable.

A special thank you goes out to all the passionate Members who took the time to nominate their exceptional apprentices. Your dedication to recognise future talents is invaluable and we are grateful for your support. Together, we shape a brighter tomorrow for the automotive industry!

Meet the Top 5 Finalists:

Chelsea Bowers, John Edwards Automotive, QLD

Chelsea has flourished in her practical capabilities and is dedicated to her studies. She strives to be a keen advocate for women in trades and makes efforts to be involved in the automotive community.

Jaidyn Seng, Paramount Automotive Performance, QLD

Jaidyn is the most switched on and motivated apprentice we have ever had. On top of doing his apprenticeship, he’s also studying engineering at university, and strives to learn as much as he can every day.”

Joshua Will, Tatiara Truck & Trailers, SA

Joshua is the apprentice technician employers dream of — an ‘A’ grade team member in every aspect, who gives everything it takes to get the customer back on the road and his application and attention to detail see him consistently achieve great results.

Matilda Gook, APS Mech, QLD

Tilly is often the first person at the workshop in the morning and often stays late to learn and help finish a job just to get a better understanding of the process. She knows how to take on a challenge and we are grateful to have Tilly as part of our team.

Tyler Rees, Rees Automotive Repairs, NSW

Tyler demonstrates a maturity well beyond his age. He approaches each job with a growth mindset regardless of whether he is completing a standard service or attempting a much more complex task.