Around 400 equine college students and schoolchildren from across the country will be descending on Newbury racecourse tomorrow for the careersinracing.com Careers Fair organised by the British Horseracing Board. The day’s programme gives a thorough overview of working in the racing industry, with the aim of providing an insight into the many career opportunities available within the sport.
The day will be compered by broadcaster and former jockey Luke Harvey, and opens with a talk from Maidstone trainer Murty McGrath, on working in a trainer’s yard, after which delegates will be able to participate in a Q&A session with former jockey and Northern Racing College Instructor David Griffiths. Following this Caroline Turnbull of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association will explain the breeding and bloodstock industry and BHB’s Head of Industry Recruitment and Training Sara Hay-Jahans will close the seminars with a session outlining the careers and training available in the industry.
From midday onwards regular tours of the weighing room and the racecourse will be taking place, offering those present a behind the scenes look at the organisation of a raceday. Sodexho will ensure that all delegates are kept refreshed throughout the day, and anyone feeling extra fit can test their skills on one of the mechanical racehorses that will be present on the day.
The careers fair also features information stands, which include representatives from the British Racing School, Warwickshire and Wiltshire College, the National Stud, the National Trainers Federation, Racing Welfare, the Northern Racing College, numerous racecourse groups and other employers, and will remain open all afternoon. The stands will enable delegates to find out further information on careers of interest and allow for networking between delegates and industry figures.
Currently taking place as a one-off event, it is hoped that the day will lead to further careersinracing.com Careers Fairs being introduced at selected racecourses across the country.
BHB Head of Industry Recruitment and Training Sara Hay-Jahans said: “The Careers Fair has great scope to open up the diverse career opportunities in the industry in an interactive and exciting way for students and school leavers, and I’d hope that positive feedback from delegates and industry figures will help cement this event as a regular feature at selected racecourses across the country.”
