Skills Reports

Professionals in the racing and breeding industry are expected to possess skills to maintain high standards of safety and animal welfare across all areas of their work, while also supporting racing and breeding outcomes. Skills are also required to train horses or dogs for other purposes following their involvement in sport. Over the past two years, the industry has been served well by its workers’ skills in biosecurity and health protocols, which have mitigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in most areas. However, while career opportunities are available, there are ongoing issues, many of which are common across many industries, with attracting skilled labour.

Skills Impact prepared the Racing and Breeding Industry Skills Report at the request of the Racing and Breeding Industry Reference Committee. It provides information on industry-specific skills and priorities additional to those covered in the Agribusiness, Food and Fibre Industries Skills Report. The report may also assist in identifying industry issues requiring consideration alongside work to streamline and reform the Australian VET system, including through cross-industry collaboration.

The report underwent public consultation on the Skills Impact website from 14 July until 17 August 2022, and we appreciate all feedback received. Your input has been used to make final edits to the document, which is available to download below.

Skills Forecasts

In previous years, skills reporting has taken the form of a Skills Forecast or Annual Update, which have been submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). They propose a four year plan for reviewing and developing relevant units, skill sets and qualifications across a training package. They were created once every three years and updated annually. The Annual Updates identified any specific changes to the industry environment, and to address current priority issues.

Every year in April, the full Skills Forecast or Annual Update was submitted by the relevant IRC to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). The AISC would then advise Commonwealth and State Industry and Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approve nationally recognised training packages.

The AISC would draw on this information to update their AISC National Schedule, and to determine future Training Package Projects.

Racing and Breeding Skills Forecasts Archive

2021 Annual update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2020 Annual Update to 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast

2018 – 2021 Skills Forecast

2017 – 2020 Skills Forecast

2016 – 2019 Four Year Work Plan

Please note: IRC Skills Forecasts were originally called Four Year Work Plans.

Development Process of IRC Skills Forecasts