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Nationally Recognized Apprenticeships For Horse Industry Ready To Run

Through collaboration with employers and educational entities, a new horse care apprenticeship program has recently been registered with the Kentucky and United States Departments of Labor. This opportunity, aimed at providing “earn and learn” training in horsemanship, is an Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program for individuals interested in working in the horse industry. Given the recent suspension of H-2B visas in the United States, an avenue which has historically been critical to Kentucky's equine industry workforce, the creation of this apprenticeship program cannot come at a more opportune time to continue to train a domestic workforce.

The Horse Trainer (Horseman) Apprenticeship (O*Net-Soc Code: 39-2011.00 Rapids Code: 1001) encompasses 2,000 hours of carefully employer structured competencies during which an apprentice can attain industry-recognized skills needed to successfully begin or continue a career in any horse related industry sub-sector, such as: racing, breeding, showing, and other similar disciplines.

While on the job, apprentices will learn or improve their skills in areas such as: horse handling, feeding and nutrition, proper grooming and exercise, identification of disease or illness, basic health care and medical treatments and facility care and maintenance. This program was created to produce a well-rounded, competent horseman capable of excelling in any facet of the equine industry.

Advantages for apprentices include:

Earn while you learn at your own pace
Learn the skills horse industry employers have shown they are seeking
Advancement within the industry promoting an increased future earning potential
Faster access to state mandated occupational licensing

Advantages for employers include:

Customized training
A skilled workforce educated by industry experts
Improved productivity and lower turnover

This new apprenticeship is the result of collaboration between the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce/Kentucky Equine Education Project's Equine Talent Pipeline Workforce Initiative, the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Workforce Solutions / North American Racing Academy and equine employers across the industry.

Additionally, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) will be able to provide valuable assistance through its newly launched apprenticeship support program developed specifically to help employers manage their apprenticeships. The services BCTC and KCTCS will assist employers with include:

Recruitment
Mentorship/Coaching
Administrative Services: Federal registration, Employer Acceptance Agreements
Compliance / Record-Keeping: Ensuring that apprentices are completing on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Evaluating ROI and employer's satisfaction with their workforce pipeline.

Apprenticeships have been utilized in various industries across the United States for decades, providing education and training within the setting that knows best, the workplace. The introduction of the Horseman apprenticeship elevates the Kentucky equine industry to a higher tier, allowing any individual the opportunity for world-class hands-on learning.

“Adding a nationally recognized apprenticeship for aspiring horsemen and horsewomen to our industry's workforce recruitment and training toolbox will help immeasurably. This program helps us make working with horses more accessible to more potential workers and breaks down many of the barriers to entry which often exist” notes Remi Bellocq, Executive Director, North American Racing Academy at Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

“The horse industry has been hungry for a way to bring all the players together to reach, and train, a broader audience of new horseman. The creation of the Horseman apprenticeship in Kentucky, the Horse Capitol of the World, is the perfect solution” states Laurie Mays, Equine Talent Pipeline Project Manager with KEEP and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “Both apprentices and employers can expect great things from this program.”

Horsemen Apprenticeships Created in Kentucky

A new horse care apprenticeship program is available and has been registered with the Kentucky and the United States Departments of Labor. As an ‘Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program’ coming on the heels of the recent suspension of H-2B visas in the United States, the aim is to help train a domestic workforce and produce well-rounded horsemen ready to excel in any facet of the horse industry.

The apprenticeship is a collaboration between the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce/Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP)’s Equine Talent Pipeline Workforce Initiative, the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) Workforce Solutions/North American Racing Academy (NARA), and employers across the industry. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System will also provide assistance through its newly launched apprenticeship support program.

“Adding a nationally recognized apprenticeship for aspiring horsemen and horsewomen to our industry’s workforce recruitment and training toolbox will help immeasurably,” said Remi Bellocq, executive director of the NARA at BCTC. “This program helps us make working with horses more accessible to more potential workers and breaks down many of the barriers to entry which often exist.”

With 2,000 hours required, the Horse Trainer (Horseman) Apprenticeship gives trainees industry-recognized skills needed to successfully begin or continue a career in racing, breeding, showing, and other disciplines. Apprentices will become adept in horse handling, feeding and nutrition, proper grooming and exercise, identification of disease or illness, basic health care and medical treatments, and facility care and maintenance.

“The horse industry has been hungry for a way to bring all the players together to reach, and train, a broader audience of new horseman,” said Laurie Mays, Equine Talent Pipeline Project Manager with KEEP and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “Both apprentices and employers can expect great things from this program.”

For employers or potential apprentices seeking more information, please contact either Laurie Mays (lmays@kychamber.com) or Gary Robinson (gary.robinson@kctcs.edu).

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KEEP: President’s Suspension Of New H-2B Visas ‘A Massive Blow’ To Kentucky’s Equine Industry

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following response to President Donald Trump's announcement that no new H-2B visas would be issued in 2020:

On Monday, June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an order that extends the federal government's suspension of new H-2B visas, as well as other work visas, through the end of the year. This order, as with the previous order issued in March, claims to open up new jobs to Americans during a time of record unemployment. However, when it comes to the Kentucky horse industry, this order will put our industry at severe risk.

H-2B visas are critical to Kentucky's horse industry. During a typical year, the demand for H-2B visas vastly outpaces the supply. To fully suspend the issuance of these visas is a massive blow to the Commonwealth's signature industry.

KEEP represents and advocates on behalf of the entire horse industry in Kentucky – all horse breeds and disciplines. KEEP's goal is to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky's signature $4 billion industry. Without a workforce that can meet the demands of the growing industry, it will be difficult for that economic impact to continue at the same level, especially as we are working to recover from the global pandemic.

KEEP is contacting Kentucky's Senators and Representatives in Washington to make them aware of this issue. Additionally, KEEP has joined with other businesses and trade associations across the country who are impacted by this decision to provide a response to the President and to the Congress.

Because the horse industry deals with animals that must be cared for, regardless of the pandemic, it is imperative that the industry can hire the labor force it needs. Additionally, equine operations across the state are working to ensure that their employees have necessary PPE and can work in a safe environment. Fortunately, due to the outdoor nature of the industry, it makes this much easier.

KEEP, through a partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Workforce Center, has spent the last two years building the framework for a talent pipeline that will bring more Kentuckians into the horse industry. While we are confident that this will result in an increase in the homegrown workforce for our industry, this will not happen overnight. With unemployment in Kentucky reaching alarming levels, we are hopeful that Kentuckians will look to the horse industry for employment. However, historically, there has not been an affinity for these types of jobs.

Kentucky is leading the country when it comes to the horse industry and its economic impact. With nearly 80,000 jobs, more than 238,000 equines and 35,000 horse operations in Kentucky today, KEEP feels strongly that the industry will recover from the pandemic. However, without a full workforce, that future is in danger. KEEP will continue advocating to ensure that Kentucky's horse industry has an adequate labor pool to meet our workforce needs and will continue developing career pathways for Kentuckians to join this industry.

The post KEEP: President’s Suspension Of New H-2B Visas ‘A Massive Blow’ To Kentucky’s Equine Industry appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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KEEP Issues Response to the Suspension of H-2B Visas

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following response to President Trump’s announcement that no new H-2B visas would be issued in 2020:

“On Monday, June 22, 2020, President Trump issued an order that extends the federal government’s suspension of new H-2B visas, as well as other work visas, through the end of the year. This order, as with the previous order issued in March, claims to open up new jobs to Americans during a time of record unemployment. However, when it comes to the Kentucky horse industry, this order will put our industry at severe risk.

H-2B visas are critical to Kentucky’s horse industry. During a typical year, the demand for H-2B visas vastly outpaces the supply. To fully suspend the issuance of these visas is a massive blow to the Commonwealth’s signature industry.

KEEP represents and advocates on behalf of the entire horse industry in Kentucky–all horse breeds and disciplines. KEEP’s goal is to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature $4-billion industry. Without a workforce that can meet the demands of the growing industry, it will be difficult for that economic impact to continue at the same level, especially as we are working to recover from the global pandemic.

KEEP is contacting Kentucky’s senators and representatives in Washington to make them aware of this issue. Additionally, KEEP has joined with other businesses and trade associations across the country who are impacted by this decision to provide a response to the President and to the Congress.

Kentucky is leading the country when it comes to the horse industry and its economic impact. With nearly 80,000 jobs, more than 238,000 equines and 35,000 horse operations in Kentucky today, KEEP feels strongly that the industry will recover from the pandemic. However, without a full workforce, that future is in danger. KEEP will continue advocating to ensure that Kentucky’s horse industry has an adequate labor pool to meet our workforce needs and will continue developing career pathways for Kentuckians to join this industry.”

The post KEEP Issues Response to the Suspension of H-2B Visas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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