For the first time, Capricorn’s Albany Trade Show will include a Careers Expo for young people, their parents and teachers to come along and learn directly from small businesses and major suppliers about career opportunities that are offered in automotive.

Capricorn Group Chief Executive Officer Brad Gannon said the skills shortage in automotive, across all occupations, was acute and Capricorn is undertaking its careers push around Australia to encourage young people into the industry.

“Our 30,000 Members are committed to the industry, and committed to the communities they service, ensuring vehicles for business, trades and families are safely maintained to be on the road. They want to continue doing that by developing the next generation of skilled workers within their own local communities.”

“The automotive sector is critical to regional cities and towns like Albany. Without the local workshops operating at capacity, farmers and tradies will be delayed because they can’t get their vehicles on the road – the supply chain effects of the automotive sector suffering this skills crisis has deep consequences across the wider economy.”

Brad adds that many local young people may not be aware of the scope of careers available in automotive and says that the industry is becoming more and more technology based which opens up the industry to young people who are attracted to a technology- based career in the trades.

“The automotive sector is not what it used to be – the mechanics of cars now are much more like computers on wheels, and the further move towards electric vehicles is accelerating that.”

“We’ve had anecdotal evidence from our Members that young people who talk to them about careers are really interested in the technology aspect – including young women who view technology as changing the industry to be less heavy industrial work.”

Brad added that Capricorn is advocating for further investment in the automotive skills pipeline from state and federal governments.

“We know the pipeline of future workers is very challenged and the industry can only do so much with initiatives like this. Without further investment and recognition from the government of the critical importance of this trade and industry, we’re going to start to see workshops shutting their doors without the next generation taking over and local communities without trusted automotive technicians.”

Each year Capricorn surveys its Members across Australia and New Zealand to compile the Capricorn State of the Nation report. Key highlights of the 2024 report included that 54% said finding good staff and apprentices is a challenge, 47% of business owners have a resourcing issue but 35% were likely to hire an apprentice in the next 12 months if they had young people wanting to undertake an automotive career.

In a significant impact to communities that depend on vehicles being on the road, the report also showed 24% of business owners are planning to retire in the next five years with over 20% of those closing their business down which could have a big impact on smaller regional communities.

The Capricorn Albany Trade Show and Careers Expo will be held in Albany on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at Hilton Garden Inn from 4:30pm.

Interested people can register online at cap.coop/careerexpo

The Capricorn State of the Nation report can be viewed in full at cap.coop/SOTN

For further information contact media@capricorn.coop or +61 455 731 955.

Photo: Capricorn Trade Show

About Capricorn

Capricorn Society was established in 1974 to support small business owners in the automotive aftermarket. Now 50 years later, Capricorn has over 30,000 Members across Australia and New Zealand including mechanical workshops, collision repairers and auto electricians.

Capricorn offers a range of competitive financial services products, including its flagship Trade Account that connects Members with over 2,000 Preferred Suppliers.

Proudly operating by cooperative principles, Capricorn Members also have access to risk protection, exclusive industry events and a generous Capricorn Rewards Program. For more information and terms and conditions, visit capricorn.coop