Horse Racing Ireland conduct industry wide education and training survey

Published: Thu 28 Nov 2019, 9:51 AM

Last updated: Thu 28 Nov 2019, 9:53 AM

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is conducting an online survey to understand the educational and training needs of everyone working in racing and breeding.

The results of the survey will be used by HRI to provide a range of subsidised education and training services to the entire industry to upskill, re-train, recruit and retain staff. The survey was launched on Monday November 4 and will run for five weeks.

The survey is available to complete at race meetings, on the RÁS website and via social media. In addition, every trainer and breeder has received correspondence with the survey details and HRI is visiting trainers’ yards and stud farms. The survey is also available to complete at online at www.workinracing.ie.

The survey will take a maximum of five minutes to complete and all the information provided will be anonymous and treated in the strictest confidence.

Grainne Murphy, HRI’s Industry Education & Training Manager, said: “This is the first time the industry has conducted a survey of this scale and the results will be hugely beneficial to HRI, to develop a specific education and training plan for everyone working in racing and breeding.

“We are working closely with our colleagues in the Irish Stablestaff Association, the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association, the Jockeys’ Association and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association to deliver this survey. It’s a really exciting and significant development for the industry and we would appreciate everyone’s input and support.”

Bernard Caldwell, Chairman of the Irish Stablestaff Association, commented: “We have some fantastic people working in all sectors of our industry so I am delighted to support HRI’s survey which in turn will assist staff with further education and training. I would encourage everyone to complete the survey.”

Michael Grassick, Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association CEO commented: “Ireland is recognised as a world leader in racing and breeding because of the people we have working in the industry. HRI’s education and training survey will give us the data to help us attract and retain the best staff and maintain our competitive advantage. I would ask everyone to take the time to complete this important survey.”