Northern
Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) is the first Australian TAFE to
introduce a specialist, three-year degree in equine studies commencing
in 2006. The new degree has been approved by the Victorian State
Government. The degree has been designed to fill a gap in an industry
where professional qualifications with practical applications are
needed. Equine Studies is a specialised animal science, equine science,
in combination with aspects of business management essential for the
successful operation of an equine enterprise. The degree is a
multidisciplinary program that includes basic sciences, equine sciences,
equine management and business management. In addition, the course
provides an extensive knowledge of equine practices and prepares
graduates for employment in the national and international equine
industry. The new degree has a number of distinctive features that set
it apart from university courses in the same field:
It
is an academic course with an increased practical component that
ensures graduates are immediately employable in the industry.
Provides
a study of equine science with the application of this knowledge on
site at NMIT’s stud, Northern Lodge.
Provides
extensive and specialised knowledge of equine science from
conception of a foal to its management and development into an
equine athlete.
NMIT
runs a 300-hectare thoroughbred stud, Northern Lodge, with modern
facilities including stables, covering barn, menage, stripping stalls, a
horse walker, sand roll and a 1400-metre racing/training track as well
as classrooms. The stud also boasts a number of stallions and mares for
its breeding programs and research. Foundation Senior Lecturer for the
degree program, Dr Karen Affleck, said equine education was an area that
lent itself to a vocational degree – one that maintained the depth of
knowledge expected in a degree program but focused on the application of
knowledge and gave students more experience and contact with industry to
better prepare them for employment. She added the equine industry was a
dynamic industry that was the fifth biggest in Australia, contributing
$6.2 billion a year to the country’s economy. Australia is the world’s
leading country per capita in ownership of thoroughbred racehorses and
the industry is one of Australia’s top income providers with over one
million people involved in the industry and more than 250,000 belonging
to equine clubs and associations.’ NMIT is also offering degree
programs in Applied Aquaculture and Viticulture & Winemaking for
2006 and other degree programs in specialist fields including Music and
Tourism & Hospitality will follow as well as a range of associate
degrees. Inquiries about the degree course Tel: (03) 9269-1042
The thoroughbred racing industry is one of Australia’s top income
providers. According to a study by independent research providers IER (The Size and Scope of the
Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry), the racing industry is source for full- or part-time work
for approximately 249,000 people, the equivalent to 77,000 jobs.
Among the industry occupations are the trainers and their staffs,
breeders and their staffs, farriers, jockeys and trackwork riders. But a lateral journey uncovers the
feed suppliers who are the farmers who grow the feed; the racing equipment manufacturers and their
retailers; the vast army of caterers, cooks, waiters and bar attendants; the multitude of bookmakers
and their staffs, and the behind-the-scenes equipment suppliers; the crowd of professional punters and
their suppliers of computers and software; the host of veterinarians and the manufacturers of
therapeutic substances; the racing analytical laboratories and their professional staffs; the
scientists conducting equine research from funds provided by the racing industry; and the
manufacturers of racing equipment, ranging from boots to saddles.
ATREC provides a web-based platform where associations, companies, race clubs
and employers within the Australian and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Industry can advertise job vacancies
free of charge. This provides a direct link between industry employers and potential employees.
EMPLOYMENT
