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An innovative industry-led pilot program aiming to provide more career pathways into the racing industry will be launched at Kyneton racecourse on November 20.

The initiative entitled ‘Pathways to Racing’ is expected to transform the way participants enter the industry by providing education and training through two planned pilot programs with the second at Mornington on Friday, 4 December.

Subject to their success, a further 10 workshops will be rolled out in 2016 with the program to be delivered across regional Victoria through local training providers over the next 12 months.

The workshops aim to increase knowledge in areas such as integrity, safety and welfare, and will be delivered through online and raceday settings with a mix of theory and practical skills. Participants will receive an insight into the ‘inner workings’ of the racecourse, meeting jockeys, stewards, judges and veterinarians to better understand their roles.

Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive Bernard Saundry said the program had been developed in conjunction with local education and training providers, industry participants and local governments.

“I am pleased that we have been able to establish a program that delivers better-equipped workers to the Victorian racing industry that are job-ready, welfare conscious and employable in racing stables,” he said.

“The program has been developed through industry consultation not only to create a clear pathway for anybody interested in a career in racing, but also to harness employment opportunities that meet local industry.”

The roll-out of the project is supported by $47,000 from the Victorian Government and $5,000 in Macedon Ranges Shire Council funding, with project partners also contributing significantly in resources and training.

The program has been developed through a partnership with Kyneton Community and Learning Centre, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Racing Victoria and the Racing Industry Skills Centre.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, Kylie Lethbridge, said the initiative addressed the training to employment opportunities identified by Council.

“We are committed to working in partnership with Racing Victoria, Kyneton Community Learning Centre and the Racing Industry Skills Centre to deliver training opportunities that increase pathways to employment in the local racing industry and that creates new opportunities for employment,” she said.

“This initiative addresses the training to employment opportunities identified in Council’s Equine Strategy, and Skills Audit and Training Needs Analysis report.”

John Thomas, Education and Training Manager at Kyneton Community and Learning Centre, said participants can expect to attain the basic skills and knowledge to commence employment in a training stable.

“Exposure to Racing Victoria’s ‘Rules of Racing’ will ensure stable employees at the ‘grass roots’ level have a much better knowledge of their rights and responsibilities whilst employed in the racing industry,” he said.

“We are very excited about this course and it has been a real pleasure to work with Racing Victoria right from the inception.”