Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s (TBA) commitment to finding the next generation of staff for the breeding industry continues with applications for the 2021 Fast Track program opening this week.
Now in its fourth year, the national training scheme offers young people with a passion for horses a pathway into the breeding sector.
Developed in response to the industry staffing shortage, the 12-month program is designed to target people from outside of breeding and racing and introduce them to Australia’s vibrant thoroughbred scene.
“Staffing has been a massive challenge in our industry for some time now and the implications of COVID-19 on the movement of international workers has only highlighted the matter further,” says TBA chief executive, Tom Reilly.
“Now more than ever, it is so important to be actively recruiting and training new people to work in our industry and that’s exactly what Fast Track does.
“As the national body we felt it was essential that we be active in this space and we’ve worked really hard to develop a program which we believe can make a material difference to the industry”.
Successful applicants commence a full-time traineeship with a stud farm while studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding – a nationally recognised formal qualification.
To complement the on-the-job learning, students attend two intensive learning blocks in Scone (six weeks in total), where they receive a mix of practical training and classroom theory, as well as take part in a variety of field trips and personal development workshops.
These learning blocks are designed to prepare the trainees for life working on a stud farm and provide them with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to build successful careers in the industry.
Although the program is still relatively new, with only two intakes graduated so far, the feedback from participating farms has been very encouraging.
“Having a program that identifies the right people and takes them on a journey where in just 12 months they are ready to enter the workforce with complete competency is exactly what the industry needs. I just wish we could take more of them,” says Peter O’Brien from Segenhoe Stud.
Middlebrook Valley Lodge’s, Verna Metcalfe, shares a similar view, saying: “It’s so hard to get good staff these days. The program gives them a really great grounding to come and work on a farm, on a traineeship, and learn from the ground up. I just love the Fast Track program.”
Fast Track is open to anyone in Australia who is 18 years and over, and previous graduates have come from far and wide, including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Applicants are required to have basic horse handling skills but prior experience with thoroughbreds isn’t necessary.
Trainees have enjoyed placements on farms in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland and with planning underway for the biggest intake yet, TBA are calling for farms from all states to get in contact if they are interested in taking on a trainee.
Applications close February 28 and you can head to tbaus.com or email careers@tbaus.com to find out more information.
