Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Train at school for an Equine Career

Secondary school students wanting to work in the equine industry can kick start their career by enrolling in a VET in Schools (VETiS) program through the National Centre for Equine Education (NCEE).

The VETiS programs are ideal for students who are planning a career in the industry as they provide nationally accredited certificates which are recognised across Australia.

Two graduates of the course - twins Tracey and Paula Nguyen (18) from Clarinda - undertook the Certificate II in Equine Industry training in 2005 and 2006 and passed with flying colours with scores of 41 and 42 respectively. Tracey was selected in the top 10 in Victoria for the equine course, along with another NCEE student Lucy Gneil from Hampton.

Tracey and Paula went to Westall Secondary College and completed the course by flexible delivery which both found was easy to fit around their school work. "The flexibility of the course was fantastic and we were able to do our practical training at Balmoral Equestrian Centre in Narre Warren," said Paula.

"I learnt heaps during the course and I was able to apply everything to my own horses," said Tracey.

"The teachers were great, even though our dealings were mostly by phone or email they were easy to contact and very responsive to our questions," said Paula. "We didn't really have any problems but if we had questions we got a quick response," said Tracey.

The VET in Schools Certificate has provided the women with an opportunity for further education in the equine industry. Paula got into Melbourne University to study animal science management and Tracey got into chiropractic study at RMIT. "You have to be a registered chiropractor by completing a chiropractic course on humans and before you can go into equine chiropractic," said Tracey.

Glenda Nguyen is not surprised her daughters are heading into careers with horses. "They came home from school one day and had made a decision they wanted to learn how to ride and look after horses. I hadn't owned a horse for 15 years or so but we headed off to look for an appropriate horse," said Mrs Nguyen.

"The girls have a habit of rescuing horses from the meat market - we have bought a few horses that way and they have all turned out to be good animals," she said.

NCEE teacher Jo Brett says the girls were neck to neck with their assessment tasks the whole way through the course. "The quality of the work they produced was really good," said Ms Brett.

Course Coordinator Liz Hoffman says the NCEE has students from all over Victoria and in Tasmania. "Distance is no barrier to completing the course. The online training and the workbooks are a great way for students to do the training. They can complete the tasks at home or school and submit their assignments to us by mail."

"At various stages of the course they undertake practical training and assessment tasks at one of our affiliated equestrian centres with experienced and knowledgeable assessors," said Mrs Hoffman.

"The NCEE is the only training organisation that offers Certificate II in Equine Industry graduates the EFA Introduction to Horse Management Certificate at the same time. With the completion of a short residential unit they also gain the EFA Introduction to Riding Certificate," said Mrs Hoffman.

Enrolments are currently being taken for the Certificate II in Equine Industry VET in Schools program and the Certificate II in Agriculture (Horse Breeding) as a school based apprenticeship.

The courses are suitable for those new to the equine industry or undertaking their VCE studies. Both programs can also be completed by those employees new to the equine industry. The course can lead into several employment areas including competition, horse racing, horse breeding and equine veterinary nursing.

For more information call the Customer Service Centre on 1300 00 NCEE (6233).