Strong response to new Racing College Course on Gold Coast

By Darren Cartwright

The remaining few places in a college course designed to fast-track high school students into key racing industry occupations, are expected to be snapped up at two remaining Open Days. 

A partnership between Australian Industry Trade College (ATIC) and Gold Coast Turf Club has created pathways into numerous racing careers while students complete their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

The inaugural Equine Industry QuickStart (Equine IQ) program will launch in July with an intake of Year 10 students at ATIC for Term 3.

Equine IQ is a school-based apprenticeship that connects students with employers and race clubs for work experience and placements in roles such as, but not limited to, breeding, track maintenance and administration.

The first Open Day was held in May, while a second will be conducted on Tuesday, June 14 at Gold Coast Turf Club and will cover event management, marketing, administration, stewarding and trainers and track work.

Breeding, veterinarian nursing, sales and stud management, as well as trainers and track work, are included at the third Open Day on Saturday, June 18 at Aquis Elysian Fields, Wonglepong.

The courses are tailored to accelerate students into apprenticeships and traineeships, parallel to completing their QCE, said Gold Coast Turf Club CEO Steve Lines.

“This is not a trial, it’s the commencement of a program which we believe will be hugely successful over the next five years,” Steve said.

“We are expecting a bigger intake in the New Year as it rolls through into 2023.”

It is the first program of its nature in the Sunshine State and the aim is to develop it into a stand-alone racing education academy, he said.

The initial intake of students followed the inaugural Open Day at Aquis Elysian Field which attracted a solid turnout despite torrential rain.

About 20 families attended the Open Day, which included a chance for budding jockeys to experience a mechanical horse to test their riding technique.

So far, half-dozen students have enrolled in Equine IQ and the initial intake could consist of as many as 20 students, Steve said.

“There have been six enrolments and ATIC was looking for 10, but we believe we may end up with as many as 15 or 20,” Steve said.

“It’s a big ask for the students to join for the second half of the year and we will take on Year 11s as well, but Year 10 was our primary focus this year.”

He said the course would encourage any student thinking of dropping out of high school to follow a racing career within the education system.

“The beauty of the AITC is that you have to finish your QCE and that is one of the most critical things, as we will be improving the education of people coming into the industry,” he said.

“The incentive for parents is that their child will finish with their QCE otherwise they do not graduate.

“It’s a very practical way of learning.”