NZ Equine Industry Training Supplement

Equine Academy
Students completed the first course at the Equine Training Academy in Cambridge on 21st December 2001, a National Certificate in Horse Racing. As this supplement goes to press it appears all trainees have been offered positions within the industry as apprentice jockeys or stable grooms. One of the goals of the programme has been to keep industry involved in the course and the Equine Education Trust wishes to thank the Cambridge Jockey Club, Trainers who have provided work experience, Mark Sweeney for teaching trackwork riding and Mr Dave O'Sullivan for sharing his experiences with the trainees.

The second live-in course began in February 2002. Please direct any inquiries about later courses to Peter McPadden, NZ Thoroughbred Racing Ð 04 385 3988.

Racing Stable Management
A pilot Racing Stable Management programme has been held in the Waikato for people wanting to gain competency in the skills of stable management. Seven students have practiced on-job and attended day-release tutorials led by Sally Waters and other specialists. If there is sufficient interest the programme will be offered in other regions this year. The course builds on the Thoroughbred Racing programme and could suit jockeys wishing to upskill and gain recognition. Further information may be obtained from Peter McPadden (04 385 3988).

Monitoring Equine Education
A panel of people representing the Equine Industry Training Organisation has recently had a series of meetings with all the major providers of education to the industry. These providers included Private Training Establishments, Polytechnics and Secondary Schools. The purpose of the visits were to assess that the educational systems were uniform throughout the country and that appropriate administration systems were in place.

The educational establishments are to be congratulated on the systems they run which ensured that learning and methods of assessment were valid, consistent and fair.

Actions from the Industry Training Forum
In a previous Foundation Bulletin (Spring 2001) mention was made of the establishment of a government inspired Forum of Representatives from the major horse organizations in New Zealand to consider education and employment issues in the New Zealand Horse Industry.

Between May and November 2001 this forum met on several occasions and has produced a report giving recommendations and appropriate actions to improve education and employment in our industry. The recommendations involved research, promotion and Field Officers. These recommendations are:

Research

That research should be undertaken to provide a base for monitoring employment, needs, training opportunities, investment opportunities and potential areas of sustainable growth. The study should include an audit of the existing workforces, client base and markets. It should also identify trends, strengths and weaknesses in the industry as a whole.

At the completion of this research project the industry will have accurate information on its present makeup and can plan and take action for where it wants to be in the future.

The Minister of Racing is working on this proposal with the Minister of Economic Development and the NZ Racing Industry Board.

Promotion

The recommendations in this area included:

(a) the raising of our industry profile
(b) introducing equestrian subjects into secondary schools
(c) promoting equine careers
(d) promoting alternative learning opportunities
(e) having updated career information and learning pathways available to the public
(f) improving working conditions to attract and hold staff
(g) offering training to overseas students
(h) promoting equestrian events to the public

Field Officers

That workplace training can be the most cost effective way to upskill industry employees. To coordinate this training and to ensure similar standards throughout the country it was recommended that a group of field officers to service all sectors of the horse industry should be established. Some people already involved in the industry education could have their current descriptions changed to provide these field officers. For this purpose a business plan is being prepared for the Racing Industry Board and discussions are taking place with Chief Executive Officers in the industry sectors. For workplace training opportunities to increase it was considered that the industry needs to offer:

a. improved business viability giving employers the ability to employ and offer improved conditions
b. greater support and encouragement to employers and trainees to ensure training contacts are completed
c. regional support people to provide services so that the promotional recommend-ations (see page 6) can be implemented.

More background information on the Equine Industry Training Organisation, was presented in the Spring 2001 Bulletin...

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

Dudley Brown
CEO, Equine Industry Training Organisation