IREA The International Racing and Equine Academy (IREA) provides high intensity, high quality training and practical experience to participants of the International Horse Racing Industry Development Project. IREA has been established in Australia as a specialist facility to train people who want to be part of a new and exciting chapter in the development of the horse racing and equine industries in your country. The IREA is backed by the Government of New South Wales and qualifications are issued by the NSW Technical and Further Education Commission (TAFE NSW). The opportunity to live, train and study in Australia and experience the variety of work choices in an industry that operates around the world will provide you with an experience that is generally not yet available to you in your Country (providing you meet the requirements of your Government and IREA.) The following is an outline of the project for your consideration in deciding upon this new and challenging path to a new career. The International Horse Racing Industry Development Project The International Horse Racing Industry Development Project has been developed with the co-operation and assistance of the Governments of the Participating Countries as an initiative to provide employment, entertainment, economic activity, regional development and co-operation through tourism and industry related activity. The establishment of a horse racing and equestrian network, where horse racing meetings and various equestrian events can be carried out in each participating country, whilst adopting the standards and regulations operating in other parts of the world, will ensure a world class network promoting international events and participation that will provide satisfaction and careers. Investors and the public will also be catered for through entertainment, economic opportunity, tourism, regional development and careers in supporting services and industries. A key part of the International Horse Industry Development Project is to produce trained and certified staff to meet the demands of developing the horse racing, equine and associated industries in the Participating Countries. The Project will require a broad range of industry personnel including jockeys, track riders, trainers, stewards, marshals, strappers, handlers, transport, ground support, catering, marketing, event management, business managers, administration, veterinary staff, and other contributors such as stud masters, stud workers, horse transport & logistics, agricultural producers, manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and materials. Aims Our aim is to develop and foster the knowledge, skills, attitudes and attributes required to undertake various roles in the horse racing, equine and related industries. Put simply, men and women will develop basic knowledge - an understanding of how the industry works, the rules of racing and other equine competitions; basic skill - learned from education, practice and experience, and basic attitude - an appreciation of the benefits from attaining knowledge and skill as it can be applied to the Horse Industry and supporting industry. International Racing and Equine Academy 02
Training Facilities Training is delivered from our world class equine centre and training academy located in the picturesque Hawkesbury Valley on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia. Training is also conducted at major racecourses, breeding and Olympic standard equestrian training areas in Australia that are the home of many world renowned racing operations and stud farms. Tuition and Education is provided by Former champion jockeys (over 5,000 combined winners) who have ridden at every major carnival in Australia and 11 overseas countries, including inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Former and current race horse trainers/owners/breeders, former breeding stud managers, equine industry experts and authors of several books on horse breeding and care plus Animal Care Registered Veterinary Surgeon, Qualified Teacher and Workplace Trainers and Assessors. Additional to the Racing experience comes the accredited Coach with Equestrian Australia, Champion equestrian and show jump rider, Eventing and Endurance experts, Accredited Master Farrier, Curriculum development experts, current Racing NSW Steward and Track Maintenance experts. IREA Study Program The International Horse Industry Development program has been developed as a high intensity program to cater for people not currently working in the industry. Your time in Australia will be spent studying a variety of subjects and gaining practical experience, knowledge and vocational guidance. The experience should be one of satisfaction in attaining the goals set at the commencement of your path into a new and exciting industry for yourself and your Country. It is intended that the outcome of the Program will be students who are sufficiently educated to either become an active industry participant in the horse industry in their country or alternatively be capable of becoming an educator to provide vocational training to local students in their country or region. All students will undertake the same introductory short course - ( a Foundation Course about the Equine Industry run in conjunction with an English language course (including English for vocational purposes). Subjects of the Foundation Course include Horse Handling Safety Procedures Stables Studs Transport Riding Racing Track Work Endurance Dressage Other Horse Care Nurses Farriers Trainers Race Course Operations Stewards Marshals Track Design & Maintenance Admin / Management Introductory Bookkeeping Intro - OH&S Intro - Event Planning Intro - Purchasing / Logistics Intro - Marketing Intro - Tourism Management Intro - Catering Intro - Event Management English (for Vocational Purposes) At the conclusion of this Foundation Course you will have a basic understanding of the various jobs and roles in the industry and will be able to confirm or change the elected course pathway that you wish to pursue. International Racing and Equine Academy 03
Racing and Equine Study Options There are numerous combinations of qualifications and pathways of courses that can be pursued. Listed below is a selection of qualifications that are available. Examples of how these qualifications can be combined into a vocational pathway are shown at the end of the list of qualifications. Certificate I in Racing (Stablehand) Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand) (Thoroughbred) Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand) (Thoroughbred) Certificate III in Racing (Trackrider) Certificate IV in Racing (Jockey) Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer) (Thoroughbred) Diploma of Racing (Racehorse Trainer) (Thoroughbred) Certificate II in Racing Services (Racing Administration) Certificate III in Racing Services (Racing Administration) Certificate IV in Racing Services (Racing Administration) Diploma of Racing Services (Racing Administration) Certificate III in Racing (Cadet Steward) Certificate IV in Racing Services (Steward) Diploma of Racing Services (Steward) Certificate II in Racing Services (Track Maintenance) Certificate III in Racing Services (Track Maintenance) Certificate IV in Racing Services (Track Maintenance) Diploma of Racing Services (Track Management) Certificate III in Equine Nursing Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical care) Certificate III in Farriery Diploma of Equine Massage Therapy Certificate II in Horse Industry Operations (Performance Horse) Certificate III in Horse Industry Practice (Performance Horse) Diploma of Horse Industry Management (Performance Horse) Certificate II in Racing (Stablehand) (Harness) Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand) (Harness) Certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse Trainer) (Harness) Diploma of Racing (Racehorse Trainer) (Harness) Certificate III in Agriculture (Horse Breeding) Diploma of Hospitality Management Diploma of Event Management Diploma of International Business Diploma of Management International Racing and Equine Academy 04
Examples of qualification pathways Example 1 Horse Industry Management Pathway Completion of this pathway would qualify a graduate to manage a small to medium sized equine business such as a training centre, horse stud, agistment centre, eco tourist enterprise, livestock transport company or work in a management capacity in a larger equine enterprise. Study Pathway Foundation Course + Certificate 3 in Horse Industry Practice + Diploma in Horse Industry Management Example 2 - Rider - Jockey Pathway Completion of this pathway would qualify a graduate to be a professional trackwork rider, jockey or competition event rider. Pathway Foundation Course + Certificate 3 in Racing (Trackrider) +Certificate 4 in Racing (Jockey) Study Pathway Foundation Course + Certificate3 in Racing (Trackrider) + Certificate 4 in Racing (Jockey) Example 3 - Industry Trainer and Assessor Pathway Completion of this pathway would qualify a graduate to train local students for a range of occupations in the equine industry including stablehands, track riders, stud grooms, horse trainers, horse transport assistants, race day staff etc. Pathway Foundation Course+ Certificate 3 in Racing (Trackrider) OR Certificate 3 in Racing (Advanced Stablehand) + C4 in Racing (Trainer Thoroughbred) + C4 in Training and Assessment +Diploma in Training and Assessment Example 4 - Hospitality and Event Management Pathway Completion of this pathway would qualify a graduate to undertake the management of quality food and beverage service, front office and housekeeping services to support racing and other event and accommodation venues. As this is a dual diploma pathway graduates would also be qualified to work as an events manager, venue manager or strategic planner for promoting the activities of the horse and related industries. Pathway Foundation Course + Diploma of Hospitality Management + Diploma of Event Management International Racing and Equine Academy 05
Living and Studying in Western Sydney Sydney is a large multicultural city of approximately 5 million people. The International Racing and Equine Academy is based at Richmond College in the picturesque Hawkesbury Valley about 60 kilometres west of the central business district. The district is home to many breeding studs and is prime agricultural crop land. A modern shopping centre is about one kilometre from Richmond College. Richmond is linked to the Sydney CBD and other major centres such as Parramatta and Blacktown by a modern public rail service. There are also frequent bus services to nearby shopping centres and townships. When you arrive, our International Student Coordinators will explain in detail about life in Australia and the facilities available in western Sydney. They will provide you with advice about public transport, banking facilities, telephone and postal services, shopping, specialty food outlets, eating out, medical and health services, sporting and recreational services and events, personal safety, local tourist attractions, entertainment, places of worship and legal matters. Here are just a few points that may be of interest The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar $AUD. It is a floating currency that is generally measured against the US $. In very general terms $1 AUD is roughly equivalent to $1 US. However in the past 12 months it has traded between 75 cents US and $1.10 US. Western Sydney is a vibrant multicultural society where people from all corners of the earth live in harmony. Discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, gender, age, or disability is against the law in Australia. There are a wide range of places of worship including churches, mosques and temples throughout western Sydney. The Muslim community of Western Sydney is comprised of people from many different countries from around the world as well Australian born Muslims. The climate of Western Sydney is temperate with average temperatures ranging from 12 to 25 degrees Celsius. Summer days can be very hot (up to 43 degrees Celsius) and care needs to be taken when undertaking outdoor activities. International Racing and Equine Academy 06
Temperature and Rainfall Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average Maximum Temperature 26 26 25 22 19 17 16 18 20 22 24 25 Average Minimum Temperature 18 19 17 15 11 9 8 9 11 13 16 17 Average Rainfall mm 104 117 133 126 121 131 99 80 70 77 83 79 There are 8 public holidays throughout the year in Australia. On these days you will find limited services operating and many shops will be closed. Hospitals remain open and emergency services will be available but post offices, banks and the Academy will be closed. Observance of other religious holidays can be negotiated with the Academy. You should talk to your course coordinator or teacher when it is not possible to attend classes or submit assignments because of religious commitments. When you arrive your International Student Coordinator will give you a tour of the campus and show you dedicated places for prayer and other quiet and discrete places suitable for prayer and reflection. Support for International Students IREA have Student Coordinators on hand every day to assist students with all sorts of things, no matter how minor. Coordinators will also Arrange tours of the facilities and other industry based facilities Introduce students to teaching and counselling staff Help with enrolment and administrative matters Arrange tutorial support if needed Provide information about social and sporting activities, ceremonies, cultural events, places of worship (churches, mosques etc) Provide regular contact to ensure students are settling in, attending classes and succeeding with studies Assist in visiting as many local attractions as possible during your stay Help with any problems Information www.irea.com.au International Racing and Equine Academy 07