Jo McKinnon Column

Industry bodies and educational projects leading the way in staff crisis

Staffing continues to remain a major challenge within and outside of Australia and the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry is working as proactively as possible to come up with solutions to curb the problem.

Thoroughbred Breeders NSW (TBNSW), along with a number of major commercial players, including Silverdale Farm, is doing some great work in this space at the moment and should be commended for their determined commitment.

Launched last year, the NSW Thoroughbred Workforce Development Project has seen more than 600 participants complete free training across various NSW locations. 

The project is based on three key elements: attracting new entrants; training the workforce, and retaining quality people. It offers pathways from high school entry level to management training, all aimed at “future-proofing” the industry.

TBNSW vice president Caroline Searcy, wellknown and respected for her tireless media work promoting the Australian breeding industry, says the traineeships, courses and seminars that have been made available are starting to have the desired positive impact, 

“Thoroughbred Breeders’ NSW is immensely proud of the work that has been done to set up the NSW Workforce Project, with the first phase has already assisted hundreds of staff and newcomers to the industry,” Searcy said.

“While it’s crucial to bring on new workers in the thoroughbred breeding industry, these courses also tackle the major issue of retaining staff and making them feel valued by their employers and work colleagues. The supervisor/leadership courses assist staff to understand their own personalities and those of their peers and that is hugely important in understanding which staff are best suited to which roles.

“The important thing about these courses is that they give those taking part a real qualification – this is bringing in a whole new level of workplace professionalism never seen before in the breeding industry, and these qualifications will assist staff members to reach higher levels of management than they may have otherwise aspired to fill.”.

While TBNSW has been leading these initiatives, she says the NSW peak body for breeders is mindful of supporting other states wherever and however it can. This is music to the ears of many who view the industry from a more united, national perspective.

“While NSW has been very fortunate, through the hard work of our Executive Officer Julianne Christopher, to obtain an enormous amount of government funding, TBNSW is eager to assist other states and industry bodies on the best ways to deal with government bodies, such as the incredibly supportive Agrifutures, particularly in explaining that our industry is agricultural – it is not about wagering or hugely wealthy individuals – it’s about the grassroots employees and small breeders working in an extremely tough environment on the land.

“Looking ahead the major issues in Australia continue to be the factionalized state by state industry model. As the largest and most successful thoroughbred breeding state in Australia. TBNSW is passionate about finding the best methods for the Australian industry as a whole to address the skills shortage and work towards a more professional and fulfilling career for all thoroughbred industry staff.”

Silverdale Farm principal Steve Grant is also deep in the trenches on this issue and taking action by investing heavily in setting up invaluable training programs at his successful Southern Highlands operation.

“One of the critical factors affecting our industry is the ability to grow, attract and retain staff.  We believe early exposure for students to have access to training and education programs will fill this employment gap in the future.  With a shortage of qualified staff in Australia, the industry is always needing to seek qualified staff from overseas. Creating education and career pathways for our students means we are creating employment opportunities for Australians,” said Grant.

He acknowledges that working with thoroughbreds requires a unique set of skills and the industry must do what it can to ensure young people have the best chance possible to acquire them.

While there are dedicated equine courses aiming at horse-interested people, Silverdale Farm in conjunction with TAFE NSW, has initiated an industry program targeting “horse-loving” school leavers. 

The Silverdale Farm Academy, in conjunction with TAFE NSW (Moss Vale), initially piloted their program in 2021 to enthusiastic students where they could participate in an immersive on-stud learning experience ‘Intern program’.  The program outcomes were designed to introduce students to the opportunities of working on a horse breeding farm with the potential of a career in breeding, racing, or in other sectors of the thoroughbred industry.

Silverdale Farm’s six-week intern program provides industry bus trips to horse-related businesses and gives interns a chance to meet and talk to industry professionals for example and including champion trainers Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott, and Bloodstock Agent Andrew Williams. Success has quickly followed the courses and the Silverdale Academy Internship Program has now been officially established. 

“Working with thoroughbreds requires specialised people in the industry.  We believe there are many opportunities for new workers in this growing industry. Supporting the provision of training to advance specific skills and knowledge will only enhance employment opportunities, in turn providing businesses with trained staff. Further, it creates greater opportunities for the generation of employment in rural and regional areas.

“The Silverdale Academy now has parents requesting to enrol their children in the programs, something we are extremely proud of,” he said.

The Silverdale Academy is now looking to expand its education programs in 2023 and beyond.  In particular, they have a long-term vision of commencing education at the grassroots starting education at the school student level (Year 10-day excursions on a farm to Year 11 and 12 one-week placements). 

It’s hoped that this exposure will lead to their six-week intern program for 16-to-25-year-olds which would then lead to Cert III and formal qualifications and job placement.  Silverdale also recently ran a Leadership Program in collaboration with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) that was highly regarded.  The Silverdale Academy is also now in the early stages of developing a specific industry traineeship.

“Studs are always looking for more staff at some point, for varying jobs, and at different times within the thoroughbred industry.

“The course is a great opportunity for horseinterested people, the tuition to lead to employment, and which could develop into a life-long career in any sector of the horse industry,” he said.

Students who participate in the Silverdale Academy program receive direct entry into the nationally recognised Certificate III in Horse Breeding and/or Certificate III in Performance Horse offered by TAFE NSW. This qualification can be completed over 18 months and provides a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge required for various job roles and industry careers. This qualification is also available as a traineeship and offers both industry study and career pathways.

“Australia has a large workforce of people to employ in the thoroughbred industry to carry out the day-to-day. We can see the success our programs are achieving, and more awareness and funding are required to future-proof our growing industry which is a major issue faced by many in the industry. Seeking the next crop of people is critical.

“This project and many others that TBNSW is involved with is proving how collaboration brings evolutionary changes towards a sustainable future, our industry will be stronger together by building the workforce we need side by side.”

Some very encouraging words there, backed up by actions. Let’s hope this enthusiasm is contagious.  

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