REPCO has renewed its support for the Capricorn Rising Star Awards, recognising the next generation of automotive tradespeople as workshops across Australia and New Zealand continue to grapple with a shortage of skilled technicians. 

Now in its ninth year, the annual Capricorn Society program celebrates apprentices demonstrating outstanding technical ability, commitment to their trade and leadership potential while recognising the workshops responsible for developing their skills. 

Judging for the 2026 awards concluded in September, with Victorian apprentice Jaeden Matteo D’Aloia named Overall Australian Rising Star and Carter Boyle named Overall New Zealand Rising Star.

Other Australian regional winners included Ryan Buttriss (NSW/ACT), Zahlee Jaye Wheeler (Queensland), Taran Donovan (SA/NT), and Deklan Garcia (Western Australia). Mr D’Aloia also secured the VIC/TAS regional title.  

The awards are open to apprentices across all automotive disciplines and form part of broader industry efforts to promote careers in the automotive trades at a time when demand for qualified technicians continues to grow. 

Repco national trade sales manager Mark Koplin said industry support for apprentices was essential to addressing the skills shortage, particularly as Australia’s vehicle fleet continued to expand and age.

Jaeden Matteo D’Aloia named Overall Australian Rising Star

“It is critical everyone supports the next generation of automotive tradespeople throughout Australia and New Zealand,” said Mr Koplin, who also serves on the awards’ voting committee. 

“Local sales of new vehicles continue to hit records, and the age of Australia’s more than 20 million registered motor vehicles continues to grow, which means automotive tradespeople are needed now more than ever. 

“The Repco team is proud to again be supporting the Capricorn Rising Star Awards, and we encourage more businesses to get behind the promotion and uptake of automotive trades.” 

The renewed support comes amid ongoing concerns over Australia’s capacity to train and retain sufficient numbers of automotive technicians to meet the demands of an increasingly complex vehicle fleet. 

A number of automotive trades remain on the federal government’s Occupation Shortage List, while the Australian Industry Group has reported a decline of almost 10 per cent in trade apprenticeship commencements. 

Carter Boyle named Overall New Zealand Rising Star

The figures highlight the challenges facing an industry required not only to service and repair a growing number of vehicles, but also to develop the technical capabilities necessary to maintain increasingly sophisticated electronic systems and electrified powertrains.  

Similar concerns have been raised across the Tasman, where New Zealand’s Motor Trade Association (MTA) has identified shortages of skilled tradespeople as a constraint on automotive businesses. 

Against that backdrop, industry recognition programs such as the Capricorn Rising Star Awards seek to encourage apprentice participation, acknowledge achievement and promote long-term careers in the sector. 

Nominations are open to Capricorn members, workshop owners, managers and supervisors, with apprentices assessed on their individual achievements and the contribution of their employing workshops to their professional development. 

Besides cash and prizes are offered in recognition of the achievements of national and regional winners, the awards provide an opportunity for workshops to demonstrate their commitment to apprentice training and development, an increasingly important consideration as employers compete to attract and retain qualified tradespeople. 

With an ageing vehicle fleet, growing technical complexity and continued competition for skilled labour, the development of the next generation of automotive technicians remains a priority for Australia’s independent repair and service sector.