Posted: 26th May 2017 | Back to news feed
HEROS Charity is working in alliance with Abingdon & Witney College to address the current shortage of stable staff in the horseracing industry by offering full time further education training programmes for young people.
This new initiative aims to support the horseracing industry by delivering a complement of nationally recognised equine and thoroughbred industry qualifications awarded through 1st4sport and City & Guilds at Levels 1 to 3. The full time programmes which run for either one or two years are aimed at young people wishing to work in the racing industry and are supported by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF).
Operating with a strong employability theme, the programmes have been developed in discussion with local trainers to ensure they meet the requirements of the industry.
The initiative is made possible with the guidance of the NTF, Careers in Racing and the BHA, together with an award granted by The Racing Foundation. The partnership of Abingdon & Witney College and HEROS Charity combines the proven expertise of an established education provider with the knowledge and experience of a thoroughbred retraining and rehoming charity to achieve their shared vision of providing the best training and education for those wishing to work in the racing industry. The first-class facilities available both at the college and at HEROS Charity, close to Lambourn in the Valley of the Racehorse, provide a fitting training environment and base for students. Students will be taught primarily at the HEROS site.
Commenting on the benefits of the programmes Pam Willsher, Head of Faculty Abingdon & Witney College, said: “The new college outreach model offers a refreshing approach for students to gain racing-specific experience alongside developing horse knowledge and riding skills over one or two years. Courses will involve daily riding, yard work and theory sessions, including one-day-a-week placements with local trainers for the duration of the course.”
Director of People and Development at the BHA, Carole Goldsmith, said:“Racing in Britain takes the care of horses who leave the sport very seriously, which is why those involved in the retraining and rehoming of horses will make the perfect individuals to pass on their extensive skills and knowledge to new recruits to the sport. This is an exciting initiative that has the potential to provide a source of skilled horsemen and women for the sport, as part of the ongoing, wider initiative to better recruit and retain skilled stable staff.”
Shelley Perham, Recruitment and Training Co-ordinator at the NTF said: “The NTF is pleased that the course will equip new recruits with the skills that trainers require from them. In turn, we will be supporting the project by assisting our members to offer the valuable work experience that students require”.
Education and Training Development Manager at HEROS Charity, Eleanor Boden, has been appointed to oversee the programmes. Eleanor commented: “I am very excited to be involved in this new, recognised entry route. It is a real opportunity for people to get involved in racing if, for whatever reason, an apprenticeship doesn’t suit their circumstances. The new programmes have riding skills and horse care at their foundation, ensuring that students are well equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to work in the industry.”
Details of the 2017 programme, due to commence from September 2017, will be available from 12 noon on Friday May 26 as they are published on the [Abingdon & Witney] and [HEROS Charity] websites.
For further details on the HEROS Charity Racing Academy Programmes including dates, schedules and costs please contact education@heroscharity.org or call 01488 638820.
@HEROSCharity @AbWitCollege #HEROSeducation #RacingLife
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