24 September 2024

TAFE NSW has announced the next stage of an immersive program aimed at kickstarting careers in the booming thoroughbred racing industry.

The Silverdale Academy, a collaboration between TAFE NSW and leading Southern Highlands broodmare operation Silverdale Farm, provides students with a unique, hands-on experience, including an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of racing’s biggest names.

Thoroughbred racing is Australia’s third largest industry, employing over 75,000 people and generating about $5 billion annually for the national economy.

Following a successful launch in late 2021, the Silverdale Academy has given dozens of graduates the practical skills, experience and contacts to gain employment across all aspects of the racing industry.

Enrolments have just opened for the latest program – the Silverdale Academy Australian Turf Club Internship Program – giving students an insider’s view of the thoroughbred breeding industry.

TAFE NSW equine teacher Linda Molloy said the program would blend online learning with a visit to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sales next February, and the chance to meet some of the sport’s biggest names.

Previous interns have been given personal masterclasses by racing icons, including Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher.

“This is an amazing opportunity for students not just to learn valuable employability skills, but network with some of the industry biggest names,” Ms Molloy said.

“The job prospects for our interns are exceptional and everyone of them who has wanted to find a job after the course has successfully done it.”

They include Appin 19-year-old Jemma Still, whose passion for horses was forged riding ponies at her local riding school as a child.

After finishing her HSC in 2022, Ms Still enrolled in the Silverdale Academy Intern Program, completing units in basic horse handling, working safely with horses, workplace communication, and loading and unloading horses from floats. She also toured stables and met trainers at Warwick Farm, eventually securing a job as a stablehand with Paul Cave Racing.

“I always wanted to work with horses and the intern program really showed me the many different jobs in the industry,” Ms Still said.

“A week after finishing the program, I got a job and this is my career now. Getting to work with these amazing animals in such an exciting industry, seeing them progress and being part of their journey, is really special.

“The program was so hands on and gave me the skills I need to go straight into a job.”

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 0477 722 428