Ready to take the next stride in your career?

Supporting people who wish to develop their careers in racingThere are many circumstances in which people may wish to make contact with CATS. Sometimes it’s due to a change in their situation that prompts them to seek advice, such as no longer being able to perform their duties in their current role. Other times, they want to progress within their role or to a different role in racing, and are unsure how they can do this, or just want information about training that is available to them.

The British horseracing industry employs people in a wide variety of roles and settings, with a range of skills and knowledge that are quite specialist, yet transferable. CATS recognises this and its mission is to enable racing’s employees to build on their existing qualities, plan their next steps and enjoy a long, successful and fulfilling career in racing.

CATS support is tailored to each individual depending on what they would like and their needs. This could mean anything from simply answering a question or providing information, through to careers coaching sessions.

Areas of support • Racing Careers Advice• Job Search• CV Writing• Applications for Available Funding for Training• Careers Coaching • Job Applications• Interviews

Who can access support through CATS?Anybody who works, or has worked in the British horseracing industry can access support. Examples of the areas in which people may have worked in racing include stables, studs, racecourses, training providers, transportation, administration, regulation, finance and support services.

If you work or have worked in any role within the racing industry, and have a question or would like support with anything related to your career and/or training, get in touch.

Career Opportunities in RacingBritish horseracing is a large sector that employs people in a range of areas and roles

Racehorse TrainingStable Staff | Travelling Head Staff | Work Rider | Trainer | Assistant Trainer | Yard Manager | Racing Secretary.

Racing Administration• British Horseracing Authority (Regulation) Race Day Operations and Regulations | Integrity and Licensing Finance and Corporate | Equine Science and Welfare | Marketing, Communications and Social Media.• Wetherbys Financial Services | Business Services | Breeding.

Training ProvidersInstructor | Jockey Coach | Assessor/Verifier | Administrator | Residential Supervisor | Functional Skills English/Maths Tutor | Facilities Coordinator | Gallop/Site Maintenance Staff | Department Manager | Student Welfare Officer.

BreedingStud Secretary | Pedigree Researcher | Bloodstock Agent | Stud Hand | Stallion Handler | Foaling Specialist | Groom | Assistant Groom | Stud Manager.

RacecoursesGroundstaff | Head Groundsperson | Stalls Handler | Administrator | Event Manager | Sponsorship Executive | Clerk of the Course | Racecourse Manager.• Racecourse Officials Handicapper | Clerk of the Scales | Judge | Starter | Equine Welfare Integrity Officer.

Technical and ScientificVeterinary Technician | Scientist | Veterinary Officer.

Media and CommunicationsRacecourse Technician | Photographer | Broadcaster | Journalist.

Support ServicesGallop Staff | Horse Transporter | CharityWorker | Administration | Farrier | Saddler.

Case Study - HayleyHayley had been working as a Stud Hand for a couple of years, having completed her Apprenticeship. She had always been interested in bloodstock and was looking forward to a long career in Thoroughbred breeding, but she was feeling restless and felt she needed direction.

Following a discussion with a trained CATS Advisor, Hayley decided that her long-term goal was to become a Stud Manager.

With support from the CATS Advisor, Hayley planned her next steps towards her career progression, including achieving her Diploma in Stud Practice & Management at The National Stud and gaining more work experience in the short to medium term. She was also able to identify roles that would give her extra responsibilities, such as Assistant Groom that she could begin to work towards in the medium term, plus short courses that she could attend that would help to improve her knowledge of the industry and her leadership skills.

Case Study - ZahidZahid worked in racing for over 20 years as a Work Rider, loved racehorses and all things racing. Unfortunately, due to a health condition, Zahid found that he could no longer ride out and there were no positions available at his yard that did not require riding out at that time.

Zahid’s friend recommended CATS to him. During his first telephone careerscoaching session, Zahid came to understand that he really wanted a job where he could still work outdoors and work in the industry that he loved; horseracing.

With support from CATS, Zahid found a new role as a Groundspersonat a racecourse and completed a training course; Introduction to Racecourse Groundsmanship. Zahid now has a new long-termcareer ambition of becoming Head Groundsperson, and plans to train towards this goal. For now though, Zahid is happy learning new skills, working mostly outdoors and contributing to making race days a success at the racecourse and feeling very much a part of the racing industry.

Case Study - JulieJulie spent the first few years of her career in racing as a Groom. A trusted, reliable member of staff, she soon found that she was given additional responsibilities during busy periods and enjoyed this. Julie wanted to progress in her career but wasn’t sure how.

After contacting CATS and receiving careers coaching, Julie had a main career goal and a clear plan of how to achieve it. She was informed that racing’s training providers offer a Yard Manager course, for just 1 or 2 days. Julie attended the course where she improved her leadership skills and gained knowledge that would help her deal with situations correctly within a yard management role.

The skills and knowledge gained from her careers coaching and the course gave her the confidence to apply for a Yard Manager post and she was offered the job.

Case Study - DaveDave had worked in the racing industry for over 30 years, starting out as a Stable Groom. He was promoted to Yard Manager in 1997. Over the last year Dave began to realise he wasn’t going to be able to ride out forever but that he wanted to stay in the industry. He enjoyed driving and it seemed the logical next step in his career progression to train to be a Horse Transporter.

Dave rang the free CATS support line number to find out what he needed to do to achieve this career goal. An Advisor explained the training that he would need to undertake and helped him to locate LGV driver training in his local area. The Advisor supported Dave with applying for funding through the National Trainers Federation Charitable Trust Fund as he met the criteria for grant funding. They awarded Dave a grant which covered 75% of the cost of the training. He then went on to achieve a Level 3 Award in the Principles of Transporting Horses on Long Journeys, a legal requirement when transporting horses exceeding an 8 hour journey.

Dave has now secured the role of Travelling Head Person at his yard and is enjoying the additional duties of travelling and taking horses abroad. Having gained his LGV licence and Level 3 Award in the Principles of Transporting Horses on Long Journeys, he feels much more secure about his future career and is no longer concerned about what will happen when he becomes unable to ride out in a few years’ time.

How can I access support?Call the Careers Advice and Training Service support line on 0800 6300 443 to speak to an advisor. There is also a range of information and advice available online at www.support.racingwelfare.co.uk

What will happen next? A CATS telephone session will be arranged for a day and time to suit you. You will speak with a trained advisor who will assist you with the next steps in your racing career by working alongside you to: answer any questions you might have, assess your current situation, explore the options available to you and offer further support based on your career and/ortraining needs.

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