About Traineeships
How do I become a trainee in the Racing
Industry?
You can contact Racing Queensland Trainers Department for advice
and assistance.
The first step is to find an employer by:
- Using any contact you may have in the Racing Industry.
- Visit stables and tracks and talk to trainers and staff
- Writing to or ringing registered horse trainers, a list of
trainers is available from Racing Queensland.
Traineeships are available in:
How to get started
When you have found a potential employer, explain that they may be
eligible for Government incentive payments for employing you as a
trainee and to compensate for your attendance at training. If they
wish to hire you then you should contact Australian Apprenticeship
Centre (AAC). These centres:
- Link the relevant Government authorities with yourself and your
employer.
- Administer paperwork such as the 'training contract' and
'incentive claims'.
A list of your local AAC's is available from
either:
13 38 73 or
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/search/aacsearch.asp
Alternatively if your potential employer is unsure about hiring a
trainee due to the limited size of their business and possible lack
of work you can be employed through a Group Training Company. These
companies:
- Act as your legal employer, and is responsible for paying
wages, superannuation & work cover.
- Place you with 'host employers' who are the Racehorse
Trainers.
- The host employer pays a leasing fee to the Group Training
Company for your services.
- It also allows you to change workplaces if necessary as your
official employer stays the same.
A list of Group Training Companies in Queensland is
available from:
www.training.qld.gov.au/
employers/gto/contact.html
Once you have contacted a suitable AAC or a Group Training
Organisation in your area a representative will visit and perform
an official 'sign-up' in which you and your employer enter into a
training contract.
The representative will then let us (Racing Queensland) know that
there is a new trainee ready to begin training. We will contact you
and your employer shortly after to discuss your training.
Some traineeships require student fees to be paid; details of these
fees will be explained during your 'sign-up'. Tuition and service
fees are always payable by the trainee; however you and your
employer may come to an arrangement regarding the fees.
Government funding (to Racing Queensland) and employer incentives
are provided through the Department of Employment and Training for
your 1st Traineeship only except school based traineeships. If you
wish to complete another traineeship full fees may apply.
Further information regarding traineeships is available from your
Australian Apprenticeship Centre or Group Training
Organisation.
What will I be studying and how?
The Traineeship system involves both 'on the job training' and 'off
the job training'. On the job training refers to the skills you
learn from your employer whilst working in a stable environment.
Off the job training refers to skills you learn from instructors
from Racing Queensland - Training Department.
Each qualification will have a variety of subjects related to horse
care and management that you will study.
You will be assessed in all these topics by either: practical
demonstration, written assessment, oral assessment or assignment.
All our instructors from Racing Queensland's Training Department
are qualified and have extensive relevant industry
experience.
Can I apply for Recognition of Prior
Learning?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available to anyone
undertaking training at Queensland Racing's Training
Department.
For more information on
RPL
I am still at school can I be a trainee?
Duration
Yes. Certificate II Stablehand is the recommended qualification and
can be undertaken as a school based traineeship. The duration is
two years and students should commence early in year 11 in order to
complete before the end of their senior year.
Part time
Students usually work one day per week and possibly one day on the
weekend. This arrangement is made between yourself, your employer
and your school.
At school
If you wish to be a school based trainee then you should check that
your school supports this training arrangement (most do). Speak to
the Vocational Education Teacher,Industry Liaison Officer or
Careers Advisor.
Getting started
The process for 'sign-up' is the same as for full time trainees.
When you contact the Australian Apprenticeship Centre or Group
Training Organisation tell the representative that you are still at
school and wish to be a school based trainee.
Sign up
At the 'sign-up' there will be the AAC / Group Training
Organisation representative, yourself, your new employer, your
parent/guardian and a representative from your school. You and your
employer will complete and sign the training contract. The AAC will
then notify the training centre to contact you and discuss your
enrollment and training plan.
(A staff member from Queensland Racing Training can attend the
initial sign also if you wish, let the AAC / Group Training
Organisation representative know that you want the Registered
Training Organisation (Queensland Racing - Training) to attend and
they will invite us.)
Further information on traineeships can be accessed through the
Department of Employment and Training website.
www.apprenticeshipsinfo.qld.gov.au/apprentices_and_trainees/find_app.html
The Queensland Department of Education
and Training provides funding support for training
