Racing and Equine in WA Today

Industry has focused on attracting young people into the sector to ensure the transfer of skills and knowledge, enabling workplace succession in an ageing workforce. Strategies are being devised to provide opportunities, incentives and sustainable remuneration for longevity in industry well beyond racing. 

Career pathways span across; thoroughbred, harness and greyhound ownership, breeding, training, racing and retirement; stud and horse farms, equestrian disciplines and clubs, riding schools, agistment, trail ride work, horse transport, horse management, coaching and officiating. Farriery is a trade qualification supplying services to the racing and broader equine industries. The sector is also represented by a large number of people volunteering at race clubs in administrative roles, hospitality, racing operations and preparations for race day. 

FutureNow conducted an interview with a young farrier who attained his trade through an apprenticeship. Matt's story profiles the role of a farrier and gives insight into his apprenticeship training.

Read our 2019 Racing and Equine Industry Snapshot.

Our Industry Partners

FutureNow collaborates with organisations, peak bodies and employers across the sector. In particular, we wish to thank all the independent small business representatives who provide critical industry intelligence and the following partner organisations, who maintain representation on our Board and Industry Advisory Network:

• Racing and Wagering Western Australia 
• West Australian Farriers Association 
• WA Horse Council 
• Educational Services and Consultants 
• Combined Farrier Supplies 
• Hoofbeats Magazine 
  

​FutureNow would also like to thank the National Racing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for their engagement with our Training Council and our position as an observer on the IRC.

Current Projects

State Priority Occupation List 
FutureNow continues to research and gather industry intelligence on Racing Farrier and Equine industries for input into the 2020 SPOL, including the impact of skilled migration reforms. Of particular interest are areas of unmet demand among occupations servicing the racing, breeding and equine industry. 

Variation of Traineeship - Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider)
FutureNow assisted the Principal Racing Authority, Racing and Wagering WA, to submit a proposal to the State Training Board to vary the Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider) to make it available as a school-based traineeship.  Secondary school students can now undertake this traineeship.

Trackrider Short Course
FutureNow is assisting Racing and Wagering WA to develop and accredit a short course for trackriders with the aim of building a locally trained workforce and reducing the industry's reliance on migrant workers. 

Training and Education

Rural Training Australia delivers the Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider) traineeship and the Certificate IV in Racing (Jockey) apprenticeship. Racing and Wagering Western Australia also offers internal training and assessment for stewards, barrier attendants and harness catchers.
 
Interstate provider, Educational Services and Consultants, delivers farrier apprentice training in Western Australia for students undertaking the Certificate IV in Farriery, combining practical on-the-job training with theory based study through an employer contract.
 
FutureNow works with stakeholders across the training and education landscape, and has a formal role to play in the development of vocational education and training to meet industry needs. A key role is to advocate for a supply of racing and equine qualifications in Western Australia to meet industry needs for qualified and skilled graduates in critical occupations.

RGR Racing Training Package

Training package qualifications are developed through a process of national consultation with industry. They are occupational skills standards against which training delivery and assessment of competency can take place.

​FutureNow works with our industry partners across Western Australia to provide current industry advice into the development and review of training package products. 

• Access the current RGR Racing Training Package.
• Learn about the Australian Industry and Skills Committee. 
• Learn about the National Racing Industry Reference Committee. 
• Learn about Skills Impact, the Skills Service Organisation for the Racing and Farrier (Animal Care and Management) industries.

Current Racing Training Projects

Skills Impact produces schedules of training package work planned for completion across a four year period.  This document identifies skills gaps and emerging skills needs within industry. Skills Impact has released their Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work for the 2019-2022. 

• Racing and Breeding Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of work 2020-2021.
• Animal Care and Management Industry Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of work 2020-2021.
  

Racing Projects
Building on the work completed in the Equine Safety in Training Project, Skill Impact released the RGR Racing and Breeding Training Package  in 2018 to ensure qualifications, units of competency and skill sets reflect the current skills, safety requirements and job functions of industry. Further projects completed over 2018-2019 were skills sets for: 

• Greyhound Health Assistant
• Natural Horse Breeding Supervision
• Horse Re-education and Transitioning
• Greyhound Preparation for Transitioning to a Pet.

Animal Care and Management Projects
Release 2.0 of the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package was completed in 2018.  Further projects completed over 2018-2019 were skills sets for: 

• Large Animal Incident Awareness
• Large Animal Incident Specialists
• Large Animal Incident Team Member
• Microchip Implantation for Dogs and Cats

Farriery Project 
New qualifications have been developed to provide a clearer pathway to study and employment for farriers.  The Certificate III in Equine Hoof Care reflects the role of practitioners undertaking equine barefoot care. The Certificate IV in Farriery is the trade apprenticeship (previously the Certificate III in Farriery) and relates to the work activities undertaken by a farrier who is engaged or employed to provide equine hoof care and shoeing services.
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Cross Sector Projects 
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee has endorsed a number of cross sector projects to create flexible and transferable training components that will benefit industries, learners and the broader vocational education and training (VET) sector. 

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

​Apprenticeships and traineeships provide a way to combine training with a job, enabling the student to work towards a nationally recognised qualification whilst earning a wage. A number of equine related qualifications may be completed as an apprenticeship or traineeship. 

Access the current list of traineeships and apprenticeships available in Western Australia.

​VET Delivered to Secondary Students

FutureNow works with industry to provide current advice on the suitability of vocational racing and equine qualifications for delivery to secondary students. This advice is collated and updated annually into the VET Qualifications Register for Secondary Students by the Department of Training and Workforce Development. 

Access the current VET Qualifications Register for Secondary Students.