NSW THOROUGHBRED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATE

Article & Photos by Project Coordinator Julianne Christopher

The New South Wales Thoroughbred Workforce Development initiative is aimed at providing training and education opportunities for workers in the thoroughbred industry.

The goal is to support the growth and sustainability of the industry by ensuring that its workforce has the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workplace environment. The initiative includes programs such as high school internships, traineeships, and professional development courses, as well as support for SMEs. The initiative is supported by the New South Wales government and the thoroughbred industry and is part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s economy and create jobs.

As Australia’s largest state of thoroughbred breeding stud farms, the workforce shortages require a stronger concentration and with the covid chain of events there could not have been a better time to initiate a Workforce development project.

The focus was placed on creating a training pathway to attract trainees, train new and existing staff and support retention by upskilling the existing workforce.

Phase One (2020 – 2021) the team secured over $1,000,000 in State Government funding, helping to provide free training for pilot programs in the Hunter Valley breeding region.

Following the measured outcomes, participants feedback exceeded the project group expectations.

A series of virtual excursions from studs to racing stables, revealed opportunities to high school teachers, students and their parents. Leading to the ‘Thoroughly Schooled’ work experience program. Students aged

15-17 were hosted in the Hunter, staying with local families and transported through a whirlwind week of breeding and racing industry activities, discovering careers and pathways to consider.

Industry partakers attended Seminars, and accredited Supervisor and Leadership courses; commenting on feeling appreciated just by being offered training by their employers. Embracing their opportunity for professional development, showed a changed perception and willingness to train and mentor the next generation. In turn this progressed into numerous gates being opened to school leavers entering Certificate III Horse Breeding traineeships and school holiday internships.

Phase Two (2021 – 2022) set off with expansion to broader NSW, resulting in a further million dollars in free training course, multiple High School Student and Trainee programs all being refined and attracting a larger volume of interest. Leadership courses went on a roadshow at five locations across the state.

Leadership Courses across the State

A high priority was set for retention and offering professional development training to the existing workforce not only for retention, but to evolve a mentor style culture for new entrants. This ultimately serves and supports all newcomer programs from NSW Thoroughly Schooled (High School), HTBA EquiStart, Cert II & III Traineeships (School Leavers), Silverdale Farm and Godolphin Internships, TBA’s Fast Track and TIC Explorer Cadetships.

By willingly sharing ideas and cooperating with neighbouring states and all industry sectors. Collaboration became the new focus with affiliating alignments of Training Services (NSW Gov), Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Agrifutures Australia, Racing NSW, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders and Thoroughbred Breeders NSW all mutually interested in seeing the success of the project, support was received both in kind and financially.

The project results have proven to boost new entrant numbers, increase retention and has the training pathway set as a permanent fixture for the sustainability of the NSW Breeding and Racing industry.

Thoroughly Schooled Students with Racing NSW Dan Power and TBNSW Julianne Christopher

Over 600 Participants Received Free Training

NSW Thoroughbred Industry Pathways in Education