Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to understand the structure of the racing industry, as well as employment opportunities in the racing industry and industries closely associated or linked to racing.

This unit of competency operates in workplace environments of racing administration, stables, kennels, racecourses and public areas.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the learner in gaining knowledge of the structure, employment areas, general work conditions and associated work procedures of racing and related industries.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the greyhound, harness and thoroughbred codes of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the greyhound, harness or thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Research the structure of the racing industry.

1. Sectors  of the racing industry are described.

2. Structure  of racing in each sector is outlined.

3. Functional areas  within each racing sector are identified.

Profile racing employment opportunities and related responsibilities.

4. Number of people employed in racing is investigated.

5. General work conditions in functional areas of racing are described.

6. Job responsibilities in essential racing job functions are outlined.

7. Employment opportunities in racing -related industries  are investigated.

Explore race day opportunities.

8. Range of race day operations  is described.

9. Role of stewards in race day operations is explained.

10. Methods used to ensure integrity of racing  are outlined.

11. Race day safety procedures are identified.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying basic research methods to determine subject matter
• communicating with racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and other relevant people using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to the conduct and operation of racing
• following direction in different work situations, including when accessing restricted areas
• maintaining confidentiality when accessing licensed premises or restricted areas
• operating a range of equipment and technology
• organising thoughts and information in a systematic manner
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• employment areas within the racing industry
• employment areas in jobs allied to racing
• ethical and unethical conduct in racing
• general work conditions in the racing industry
• procedures for operation and maintenance of equipment and technology
• protocols and procedures for communicating with stewards, racing officials and other relevant persons
• race meeting operations and staff roles
• rules of racing
• structure and hierarchy of the racing industry.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• knowledge of requirements, procedures and instructions that demonstrate an understanding of the structure of racing and the job opportunities available
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient investigation of racing and racing-related job opportunities
• working with others to complete tasks that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of racing sectors and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency must be assessed in racing workplaces that provide access to the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

• a range of racing sector work sites, such as administration buildings, racing kennels, racing stables, racetracks and race meetings
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to investigate racing and related job opportunities, including:
• internet and racing websites
• racing magazines and related publications
• work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

• written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to investigate job opportunities in racing and related industries. Workplaces include greyhound kennels, harness and thoroughbred stables as well as greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.

Sectors  that make up the racing industry include:

• greyhound
• harness
• thoroughbred.

Structure  of the racing industry includes:

• horse or greyhound training establishments (public and private trainers)
• national and state governing bodies for each racing code
• race club organisations
• racing organisations, such as trainers' associations.

Functional areas  of racing include:

• racing administration
• race day operations
• steward and integrity services
• track maintenance
• training operations.

Racing -related industries  include:

• bloodstock agents
• breeding studs or kennels
• building and construction, including:

• fences
• tracks

• farrier services
• feed, supplement and medication suppliers
• float drivers
• kennel supplies and services
• massage and other complementary therapists
• saddlery and gear suppliers
• transport services
• veterinary services, including:

• veterinarians
• veterinary nurses.

Roles in race day operations  will include:

• barrier attendant
• clerk of scales
• clerk of course
• judge
• kennel supervisor
• lure drive
• mobile barrier driver
• photo finish operator
• race caller
• race club secretary
• racecourse detective
• race meeting veterinarian
• race meeting farrier
• scribe or shorthand writer
• starter
• steward
• swab attendant
• trainer, stable and kennel staff
• track maintenance.

Integrity of racing  is managed by:

• determining and awarding penalties when rules of racing are contravened
• establishing and applying rules of racing
• investigating racing-related incidents
• licensing or registering participants
• overseeing integrity of services staff
• overseeing racing by stewards and integrity services staff.

Race day safety procedures  may include:

• allocation of security staff
• designation of restricted areas
• evacuation instructions
• identification of race day licensed or registered persons
• provision of first aid staff and equipment
• race meeting under control of stewards
• race start under control of starter
• safely moving around horses or greyhounds in stables or kennels and on or near tracks
• stable or kennel area supervision.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing codes

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing common