NSW THOROUGHBRED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATE

Article by Kirsten Tydd & Photos by Lila Christopher

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

Feedback following the course was enlightening and the students gained some valuable insights to future pathways in the industry.

“Be able to see what goes on behind the scenes of places and how there is a lot more to the horse racing industry than I thought there was”

“The wide variety of opportunities and jobs we got to see and learnt about, work experience and connecting with my peers over the week”

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.

Throughout 2023 the Workforce Development Project team, consisting of Training Services (NSW Gov), Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Agrifutures Australia, Racing NSW, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders and Thoroughbred Breeders NSW have focused on Phase Two (2021 – 2022-23) of the project.

Thoroughly Schooled

The Thoroughly Schooled Program was conducted in September 2023 for a group of 14 senior high school students. The course had over 65 applicants for the program. The weeklong camp style program was held in Scone in collaboration with TAFE NSW, Training Services NSW, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders and Racing NSW. The Thoroughly Schooled program was promoted to local schools in the Hunter & Central Coast region, New England, Mid & North Coast, Far West and Blue Mountains and Western Sydney

The aim of this program is to build on the career aspirations of students who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career within the equine industry. The aim is to provide an immersive career and industry exposure opportunity within the local community and incorporate critical employability skills. This 7-day program provided an extensive building block for successful transition into employment into the industry and incorporated practical skill-sets followed by work placement on a stud farm and racings stables.

“Literally everything, it’s a great program that showed us students a lot about the industry, we have made new friends within the industry and it’s just being around great people”

I’m considering some of these industries but haven’t made up my mind

Leadership Course & Pre- Season Seminar

Seminars and Leadership course courses were conducted in August. The preseason seminar took place in collaboration with HTBA and Scone Equine Hospital providing valuable information for industry middle managers leading into the breeding season.

Accredited training in Leadership run by Forsythes Training is always a popular course and feedback form participants is overwhelmingly positive. The course aim is to embrace the opportunity for professional development with a high priority 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 like 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 Cadetship

For further information about programs and courses visit www.tbnsw. com.au/education