Training in the Equine Industry

Like most industries in NZ the horse industry has an established Industry Training Organisation which, through its Chief Executive Officer, Dudley Brown, oversees training in many aspects of the industry. Recently some new and exciting developments have taken place and these, with other items of interest to people in the horse industry, are described below:

New Training Academy
As mentioned in a previous issue of this Bulletin a new Training Academy has been set up at the Cambridge Racecourse. The Academy was opened in late July and its main purpose is to train apprentice jockeys over a six month period. The Academy will also be used for other sectors of the industry and shortly the NZ Farriers Association will hold their training courses on this site. Facilities at the Academy include accommodation, conference room, classroom, six horseboxes, and a feed/tack room.

The cost of establishing this new training facility was shared by the NZ Racing Industry Board and NZ Thoroughbred racing with substantial support from the NZ Farriers Association and the Equine Industry Training Organisation (EITO). The Academy is controlled by a charitable trust, The NZ Equine Education Trust, and the project manager is Robert Tocker. Support and sponsorship have been received from the Cambridge Jockey Club and Fairview Motors.

The establishment of this Academy marks a huge step forward in the training of young people in our industry.

Minister of Racing Calls Forum on Equine Industry Education
Another exciting development in the NZ Horse Industry is that the Minister of Racing, Annette King, has convened a forum of representatives from the major organisations in the Industry to examine training, continuing education and employment issues.

As a result of this meeting, a sub committee has been set up to examine these issues; come up with new ideas; and to indicate priorities.

The committee examined training and career pathways, methods of training, continuing education and self-employment issues. They agreed that there is a need for more accurate information on training requirements and workforce needs, and are considering ways in which various Government agencies could assist with an industry wide survey to obtain this information.

They also appraised workforce conditions in the racing sector of the industry and particularly noted the trend towards casualisation of labour. Hours of work, and industry and society's expectations were also discussed.

The committee is investigating ways of attracting full fee paying overseas students into our training programmes, particularly at the new Cambridge Academy. It is considered that some of these students may be able to stay in New Zealand for a period after completing their initial training. By doing so, they could further their experience and make a riding contribution to our racing.

Introductory Training Scheme For Harness Racing
A pilot training scheme organised by the National Trade Academy has been established in Harness Racing. The scheme has enrolled 10 young people who have no academic qualifications and no practical experience with horses. They are to be trained by well-known Canterbury Harness Racing Trainer, Tommy Behrns, and, at the end of their course in November, they will have the opportunity to take further Harness Racing Training programmes. This scheme was accredited by the Equine Industry Training Organisation in consultation with Harness Racing NZ.

Racecourse Managers Courses
Sixteen trainee racecourse managers have been involved in Block educational courses at the Sports Turf Institute at Palmerston North. These courses covered aspects of racecourse management at level 3 and 4 qualifications of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Equine ITO Chairman Retires
At its meeting in June the Board of the ITO acknowledged the contribution of Arthur Ormond who has chaired the industry's National Training Committee (now the EITO) for the past 15 years. Arthur has always promoted the importance of learning and up skilling since his appointment. Today everyone talks about life long learning and the equine industry is not isolated from this necessity. For this industry to match its counterparts in competing for new entrants the ITO was one of the first to have unit standards and qualifications registered in the NZQA Framework. The industry has lifted its profile by attending expos, national field days, contributing to career publications and now being on the
web. Arthur placed great importance on setting and achieving goals. He also ensured that developments took place which were in the interests of the industry rather than a particular sector. Each Board Member thanked Arthur for his outstanding contribution to equine training. Mr Geoff Humphries, representing the NZ Trainers Association, was elected to the position of Chairman.

For further information regarding the above topics phone...
0800 84 11 11

Dudley Brown
CEO, Equine Industry Training Organisation