This project is an extension of the Equine Safety in Training Project. It was established after key issues were identified with the application of increased safety measures with horses in the context of the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industry. Feedback from industry was that the proposed safety measures being applied to the units of competency within the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package and AHC Agriculture, Horticulture, and Conservation and Land Management Training Package were not appropriate for the Horse Racing Industry. It was determined that additional work was required to satisfactorily incorporate safety into the units, skill sets and qualifications within the RGR Racing Training Package. Industry feedback also outlined the need for a thorough review of all racing units, skill sets and qualifications to ensure they align to current skill standards, ensuring all job functions are accurately described.

The Industry Skills Committee (AISC) issued an activity order for this project to commence, following the approval of the Case for Change which can be downloaded via the link below. Skills Impact and the Racing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will take this project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.

Download the Case for Change

Project Scope

Units of competency, skill sets and qualifications within the RGR Racing Training Package will be reviewed and updated to reflect the current skills and safety requirements of industry, so that all job functions are accurately described.

This project is an extension of the Equine Safety in Training Project. Feedback from industry is that the safety processes and measures in the horse racing industry are unique to the safety measures for other horse related industries. Industry has also identified the need to review and update units, skill sets and qualifications to reflect new and current industry standards and practices, particularly in relation to the occupations listed below.

Relevant Occupations

• Stablehand
• Driving stablehand
• Trackrider
• Harness race driver
• Racehorse trainer
• Greyhound trainer
• Jockey
• Steward
• Turf/track maintenance manager
• Integrity officer
• Racing administration and operations
• Racehorse trainer
• Greyhound trainer
• Harness race drivers

Key deliverables

• Review and improvement of 63 units
• Development of the Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand), and specialisations built into the qualification for Thoroughbred Racing, Harness Racing, Thoroughbred breeding and Stablehand
• Review and improvement of 3 Steward related qualifications
• Development of new skill sets related to track maintenance for all three racing codes
• Development of new skill sets related to racing administration
• Review of 22 skill sets related to racetrack operations
• Correct alignment of all racing qualifications to the Australian Qualifications Framework

Project Team

Timeline

August 2017
Initial scoping

September, October 2017
Review process commencement

October, November 2017
Industry consultation of draft materials

November, December 2017
Industry validation of final drafts

January 2018
Finalisation of Training Package components

January, February 2018
Independent Quality Assurance, and Edit and Equity review of Training Package components

March 2018
IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement

Subject Matter Experts

Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units and qualification.

If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]

Draft qualifications and units of competency will soon be available for industry feedback.

Skills Impact is currently meeting with Principal Racing Authorities and Subject Matter Experts to determine the current skill needs of racing industry job roles.

Broad industry consultation is scheduled to commence mid-October, when draft units will be made available for comment on this webpage. Your input is welcome, please feel free to register your interest to keep informed of project updates and when draft units are available for feedback.

To view the project scope, timeline and key deliverables, please select the ‘Project Plan’ button above.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units of competency. The drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website from 19 October – 10 November 2017.

Feedback was sought on whether the draft qualifications, skill sets and units reflect the current skills and safety requirements of industry, and whether job functions are accurately described. The feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which will be available for industry validation in December 2017.

The draft qualifications, skill sets and units that were available for industry review and feedback are listed below.