Regional Development
If you are an employer in the racing industry there are lots of opportunities to develop your staff. With the implementation of initiatives such as The Regional Staff Development Program, NAoRS led funded courses and TBA/National Stud regional training now has never been a better time to access training for your staff in your region.
What’s On Offer?
Regional Staff Development Programme
The nationwide Regional Staff Development Programme (RSDP) offers free or subsidised training across a range of subject areas including improving riding and horsemanship skills through coaching activities with the use of mobile training vehicles. Equine first aid, horse management, fitness, nutrition, finance and lifestyle subjects will be offered with opportunities for staff to gain industry and national qualifications. Training comes in various forms, including demonstrations by world class coaches and practical skills development by vets and physiotherapists. Staff may wish to improve their horse care skills, undertake basic numeracy and literacy skills development or learn more about the industry they work in. Training takes place in the main training centres of Malton, Middleham, Lambourn and Newmarket as well as outlying yards. Building on the success of the Jockey Coaching Programme, senior staff may also apply to train as Rider Coaches, giving them the coaching skills to support younger and inexperienced colleagues in their yards.
You can find out more about the RSDP on the Racing2Learn website.
NAoRS Led Courses
Run in the main training centres around the country, subject to demand NAoRS led courses provide invaluable training in important skills such as Maths, English, ITC and English Speaking for Other Languages. Each course is run by a local college or provider who work together with NAoRS to ensure the content is relevant and these courses are fully funded for racing staff. NAORS are also running a Mentoring and Leadership Course, more information here.
TBA/National Stud Regional Training
The TBA and National Stud, with funding from The Racing Foundation, offer regional training on all aspects of stud management.
More information on National Stud Courses can be found here.
Racing Welfare Mental Health First Aid Courses
Racing Welfare provides a series of Mental Health England accredited courses around the country which allow participants to gain a much better awareness and knowledge of Mental Health issues which they may have to deal with in the workplace. Find upcoming Mental Health Courses here.
Scottish Racing Academy
The Scottish Racing Academy was launched in 2020 and provides a wide range of training opportunity for racing staff in Scotland. For more information visit their website.
How Do I Access for My Employees?
For dates and details of the above mentioned regional courses and to search for any other industry courses please use our searchable Training Directory here
View our relevant case studies
In May 2021 Lambourn trainer, Harry Dunlop, had come to a crossroads in his career. It was a conversation with another trainer that led him to pick up the phone to Racing Welfare, where he was soon referred into the Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS) for careers coaching.
Julie received the recognition having used the Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS) to help her land her dream job as an Equine Welfare Integrity Officer (EWIO) earlier in the year. Julie shares her story about how, aged 52, she came to use the service after being made redundant.
Freelance racing and bloodstock sales photographer Nicola Paramo has today, Friday 26 October, been crowned the winner of this year’s CATS Personal Development Awards at Newmarket racecourse.
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Jane Hedley talks about her journey in becoming Clerk of the Course at Nottingham and Warwick Racecourse
Jess Bedi talks about her journey through the Careers Advice and Training Service to become a fully qualified trainer.
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The Lycetts Team Champion Award was established to recognise and reward best employment practices in training yards across the country.
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Racing home workshops aim to shed light on challenges faced by working mothers
In May 2021 Lambourn trainer, Harry Dunlop, had come to a crossroads in his career. It was a conversation with another trainer that led him to pick up the phone to Racing Welfare, where he was soon referred into the Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS) for careers coaching.
Julie received the recognition having used the Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS) to help her land her dream job as an Equine Welfare Integrity Officer (EWIO) earlier in the year. Julie shares her story about how, aged 52, she came to use the service after being made redundant.
Training racehorses is often described as ‘a way of life, rather than a job’ due to the all-consuming nature of the work. So how do racehorse trainers deal with retirement?
Sarah Ashley, Housing Support Officer at Racing Welfare talks about her career development throughout her time working in horseracing.
Sarah Judge talks about her experience of careers coaching sessions through CATS and how they helped her to progress
Racing Welfare’s Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS), funded by the Racing Foundation, have announced the finalists for their inaugural CATS Personal Development Award, sponsored by Hartpury University.
Millie Orttewell works as racing secretary to Will Biddick and received funding through CATS to undertake an accounting course and boost her career credentials.
Careers Coach Zoe Hendricks gives her top 5 career tips.
Maddy O'Meara, head girl and first international travelling person to trainer Andrew Balding, is completing her personal training and nutrition qualifications through CATS to bring health and fitness to stable staff.
Jane Hedley talks about her journey in becoming Clerk of the Course at Nottingham and Warwick Racecourse
Jess Bedi talks about her journey through the Careers Advice and Training Service to become a fully qualified trainer.
In part two of our focus on RaceTech we take a look at two of their recent recruits, Stuart and Ed, who are both enjoying new careers in the industry they love.
In part one of our RaceTech focus we are looking at the trainee schemes they offer.
Last week, Racing Welfare launched a mini-series profiling some of the people working behind the scenes to make this year’s Investec Derby happen.
Shadwell Stud funded student at Writtle College, Eleanor Watson talks about the Certificate of Higher Education in Thoroughbred Stud Operations
Tom Ryall has enjoyed a varied career within the racing industry, having started out as a work rider for one of the country's leading trainers before taking on a fresh challenge...
Helen Cuthbert is a racehorse trainer working out of Carlisle...
See our inspirational video on what you could achieve through CATS
Giulia Cerrato from Italy, has been in England for ten years, having previously worked in racing as head travelling girl and work rider...
Claire’s progression in the industry has seen her enjoy a fantastic career working hands on with horses before moving to a Deputy Editor’s role at European Bloodstock News...
Scottish Racing, the body which promotes the sport of horseracing in Scotland, has announced the creation of a new sister organisation, the Scottish Racing Academy.
Shadwell Stud and The Racing Foundation both offer two scholarships each for this one year course which aims to combine a sound knowledge of breeding theory with a range of assessed practical competencies...
The British Racing School has teamed up with Hartpury University to develop the first degree of its kind to help staff working within UK horseracing enhance their career opportunities within the industry.
Get inspired with a National Careers Week blog from Careers Coach Zoe Hendricks
As part of National Careers Week, in partnership with the Regional Staff Development Program, join CATS Careers Coach Zoe Hendricks who will be talking about the benefits of careers coaching, not only to employees but also how it can benefit employers too.
As part of National Careers Week Racing LiveStyle is back with a chance for you to learn more about Careers Coaching and how it could benefit you
Careers Coach Zoe Hendricks gives her top 5 career tips.
If you are looking for a change in direction or you are keen to work in the stud sector, the Entry to Stud Employment course (E2SE) could be an ideal next step for you.
Scottish Racing, the body which promotes the sport of horseracing in Scotland, has announced the creation of a new sister organisation, the Scottish Racing Academy.
The Lycetts Team Champion Award was established to recognise and reward best employment practices in training yards across the country.
The new CATS website is here.
Racing home workshops aim to shed light on challenges faced by working mothers