By Jordan Gerrans
A new program is being launched to help guide Queensland students into the racing industry and open their eyes to the many different opportunities within the code.
The Australian Industry Trade College has partnered with the Gold Coast Turf Club to conduct a “racing immersion” program for AITC’s Year 10 students in 2022.
This will be the first time a program of this nature is offered in the Sunshine State.
Racing Queensland's RTO Manager for Education, Jill Geiblinger, believes the program is an exciting opportunity for students.
“The Equine Industry QuickStart (Equine IQ) initiative, is a program designed for Year 10-12 students and will immerse students in the racing industry through site visits, incursions, excursions and work experience,” Geiblinger said.
“The industry-driven program will connect young people with employers and race clubs for managed work experience and placements.
“A key benefit of the program is that students can undertake a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship in racing whilst completing high school, fast-tracking their careers into Queensland’s racing industry.”
An "experience the equine industry open day" will be held on May 14 from 9am at Aquis Elysian Fields for students to learn more about the deliberately different, industry-driven senior school program that prepares them for the thoroughbred racing industry and the world of work.
Gold Coast Turf Club Racing Manager Ian Brown believes the program will better educate young people around starting out in the racing industry.
“We have partnered with the Australian Industry Trade College, we see it as an opportunity to improve the quality and quantity of employees in the industry,” Brown said.
“Children will enter the AITC at a Year 10 age and they will be given the opportunity to explore different areas in the racing industry and they can identify what they are attracted to.
“In Grade 11 they would go into a Certificate II in racing and the core elements of that will be a stud hand, stable hand, administration and track maintenance, they will then be offered work placements in organisations that focus in on those key areas.
“We have reached out to some local trainers, Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, Racing Queensland, Magic Millions and Aquis, who have all indicated they are very keen to assist by providing those opportunities to those children.”
The tailored program is designed to educate young people to become apprentices and trainees of the highest calibre, specifically for the racing industry.
The program is designed for those that have interests in horses, working outdoors, pursuing a trade or administration; with an industry-driven education.
“It is more focused on the breadth of the industry, like kitchen hands, marketing managers, stewards and vets – you name it,” Brown said.
“It is not just focusing on jockeys. It is trying to open everyone’s eyes to the numerous other employment opportunities that are in the industry.”
Click here for more information on the program.