RISE TO THE TOP WITH AN APPRENTICESHIP IN HORSERACING
15th March 2016
As both Apprenticeship Week and the famous race meeting, the Cheltenham Festival, are launched this week (14th March), young people throughout the country are being encouraged to consider an apprenticeship in the horseracing industry.
Careers in Racing - the marketing campaign run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to promote training and career opportunities in the horseracing industry - is highlighting how apprentices can progress to the top of the career ladder.
Zoe Elliott, Careers Marketing and Recruitment Manager said: “An apprenticeship is the perfect way to start off in the exciting world of horseracing. It can lead to a rewarding career and is the perfect way to ‘rise to the top’.
“As it is Apprenticeship Week, we are taking this opportunity to highlight the wide breadth of careers available within the horseracing world.
“As the second largest spectator sport in the UK we are a major, growing industry and we have a lot to offer including a commitment to welfare, supporting staff and competitive pay and conditions.
“Many people are unaware of the sheer number of opportunities available, either working directly with horses or in the events and hospitality sector.
“There are some skills gaps in the sector. In particular, we have identified a shortage of people working directly with horses - we are addressing this by recruiting apprentices on racehorse care courses, by raising the profile of the sector and by demonstrating the career paths available.”
“The job market is strong at the moment and demand for qualified, experienced and committed staff is high. Taking an apprenticeship can be the perfect first rung on the ladder.”
The promotion of apprenticeships is being supported by Seamus Mullins, Racehorse Trainer and President of the National Trainers Federation.
Seamus said: “As a racehorse trainer in Wiltshire with 50 horses in training, I have 20 staff working for me and many of them that have studied racehorse care via the apprenticeship route. I fully support apprenticeship training as a great way to enter the world of racing.
“There are numerous examples of people who have progressed rapidly in racing following their apprenticeship and I would encourage anyone keen to work outdoors and with horses to look at the training and career opportunities available in horseracing”.
For young people under 19 working in a racing yard, an apprenticeship is an essential part of any career in horseracing, as employers must offer this route.
Specialist training providers across the UK offer horseracing apprenticeship opportunities at a variety of levels – training is free for young people aged 22 or below and open to beginners.
The Northern Racing College and British Racing School offer a work based programme with a period of initial training in their specialist facilities, where young people can learn to care and ride racehorses first hand, Haddon Training offer a work based programme and for those who wish to follow a non-riding route there are non-riding options available - including working on the breeding side of the industry via training at The National Stud.
Zoe Elliott at the BHA continued: “Our message is simple. An apprenticeship in the horseracing world is a highly respected, valued route into the industry and can take you anywhere – you can truly rise to the top.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact Emma Parker Reynolds on 07944 360631 / 01579 352600 or email: emma@coastmarcoms.co.uk
Please note that case studies and images are attached.
Interviews
Spokespeople from the BHA and Careers in Racing will be available for interview Please contact Coast Communications to arrange a time.
About the British Horseracing Authority
The British Horseracing Authority governs and regulates British racing. www.britishhorseracing.com
About Careers in Racing
The British Horseracing Authority's Careersinracing Team implements recruitment, training, education and community initiatives for the horseracing industry. The team promote the ethos that racing is a great place to work. www.careersinracing.com
About Haddon Training
Haddon Training is an Ofsted Grade One training provider who specialise in delivering work-based Apprenticeships in Horse Care, Animal Care and Business.
www.haddontraining.co.uk/equine-qualifications/racing-apprenticeships.aspx
About the British Racing School
The British Racing School is a Centre of Excellence for training in the racing industry, providing a whole range of different courses and training. Established in 1983, the school is owned by a charitable trust and any income generated is re-invested back into the School.
www.brs.org.uk/courses/apprenticeship-level-2-diploma/
About Northern Racing College
The Northern Racing College opened in 1984 and is situated approximately 7 miles south of Doncaster. The facilities have been developed through funding from the racing industry, generous donations and grants from statutory and charitable sources and with the help of the Friends of NRC. The NRC boasts some wonderful facilities for the learners and horses. It prides itself on being the Northern Centre of Excellence for the British Racing Industry.
www.northernracingcollege.co.uk/course-details/stable-staff-courses/apprenticeship-framework/
About National Stud
The National Stud has been owned by the Jockey Club since 2008. Based on the outskirts of Newmarket, they provide internationally renowned training facilities that give young people entering the Thoroughbred breeding industry top class training opportunities. In addition to a selection of shorter courses for individuals wishing to increase their skills base.
www.nationalstud.co.uk/training/apprenticeship.aspx
About the Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar. The festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire – in 2016, the festival runs between 15th and 19th March. www.thefestival2016.co.uk
About Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2016) is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
National Apprenticeship Week 2016 – 14th to 18th March
The key themes for National Apprenticeship Week 2016 are: ‘An apprenticeship can take you anywhere’, with a particular focus on higher skills to show how young people, entrepreneurs and businesses can ‘rise to the top’ through traineeships and apprenticeships.
Notes to Editors
For more information regarding this press release contact: Emma Parker Reynolds at Coast emma@coastmarcoms.co.uk / 07944 360631 or the Coast main office on 01579 352600.
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