Thoroughbred industry leader John Messara released a warning about the critical shortage of skilled equine staff on farms and in racing stables early on Monday in Australia.
The former Chairman of Racing Australia and Racing NSW said, “The NSW industry has made outstanding progress in the past few years by negotiating product fees and broadcast rights. That has given Racing NSW the resources to boost prizemoney and launch initiatives like The Everest. However, further progress and growth will be seriously limited if we cannot attract more young people to industry training and long-term careers working with thoroughbreds at all stages of their life-cycle.”
Messara added, “Every day industry colleagues contact me to share their difficulties securing good staff. I know exactly what they're dealing with, because I'm facing the same challenges as the owner of Arrowfield Stud.”
Messara believes the solution will be found only if the industry and the Federal Government work together.
“The industry can help itself in the long run by creating opportunities for better formal training pathways for school leavers, as currently there are very, very few young Australians seeking careers in the thoroughbred industry,” he said. “I believe Racing NSW is already undertaking work in these areas and this will be assisted by the Federal Government's recent initiative to invest in skills training in areas where shortages exist. Right now though, our current visa protocols stop us from taking on well-trained overseas staff who want to work here from established equine centres such as Ireland, the UK and France.”
The Working Holiday Visa limits the time young people can stay in Australia with an employer and the 457 Visa in many instances is not a workable proposition for young people finding their way into the industry.
“In the end, the employee leaves after six months, just as they've been inducted into the job and have settled into the work,” Messara explained. “This seriously limits the value of such a visa.”
Racing Australia is lobbying appropriate Federal Government agencies on this matter.
Messara concluded, “At some stage, without urgent Federal Government action, some employers will reach the point of winding up their businesses and leaving the industry because of this problem. So we'll lose their investment, expertise and energy, and ultimately that will impact on all the businesses and communities, often in rural areas in the case of horse studs, that depend on thoroughbred horses being bred, sold and raced.”
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