Research will play a key role in mapping the training and skills needs of the equine workforce
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), the national governing body for equestrian sport, has launched a new survey to identify the challenges facing employers while also exploring opportunities for employees across the equine sector.
Building on insights from The Business of Horsepower – HSI’s equine staffing report published in June and officially launched by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD – this survey will play a key role in mapping the training and skills needs of the equine workforce.
The ambition of the new survey is to determine any opportunities for training and education that can be made available to the sector and to ascertain the training needs of the equine industry.
The Business of Horsepower, which was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under National Breeding Services (NBS) and prepared independently by IFAC Accountants, highlighted key areas where the sector can improve skills, training and educational opportunities, having identified areas of skills gaps in the sector.
The equine sector is a key cornerstone of the agri-sector and economy in rural areas which is worth €1billion per annum and supports 47,000 jobs directly and indirectly. However, the data produced in the report highlighted the challenges and concerns of business owners and everyday equestrians.
Increasing costs, access to land and finding high-value markets were among the key challenges experienced, while staffing issues are prevalent, with a large majority of business owners identifying recruitment difficulties and concerns around a lack of viability for equine businesses.
By conducting this new survey, contributors will offer HSI the opportunity to take a more detailed look at the industry’s challenges and help identify further areas that can be improved upon by providing training and upskilling to Irish equestrians.