Equine students at Community College Gippsland's harness racing training centre welcomed a visit from Training and Skills Minister Steve Herbert, who toured the stables recently and met two of the centre's star racehorses.
Staff and students achieved a record recently when Break a Wrist and Mystic Castle both won races at Cranbourne.
Community College Gippsland chief executive officer Sue Geals said the visit was a great opportunity to showcase the accredited training available in equine studies and racing training in Gippsland and for the minister to speak to staff and students.
"He was particularly interested in seeing how our students learn hands-on in our racing stables and what impact it has on their lives and careers. Some 60 students who have graduated from the centre in recent years are now employed in the equine industry
17 year old student Abby Orchard is about to complete a Certificate III advanced stable hand qualification and is also training to be a driver.
She told the minister how her training with horses had given her ambition and purpose.
"I wasn't enjoying school and was considering leaving. The college suggested I try equine as a VET in schools subject and while I had never been around racehorses, I thought I'd give it a go.
"It has changed my life. I'm now working towards a career as a Driver in harness racing. It's hard work but it's such a great feeling to be out on the track and working with horses. "
Former student now assistant trainer Brad Walters has achieved his professional driver licence and said he too had come to the centre with no horse experience after leaving school early.
"It's like a family here. Once the horse bug gets you there's no turning back you just can't leave."
Mr Herbert, who has a keen interest in horses, said the visit was a great way for him to connect and hear from staff and students about training programs aimed at engaging youth who may be at risk of falling through the cracks.
The Gippsland Racing Training Centre is run by Community College Gippsland at Logan Park, Warragul.
The centre provides accredited training for people to work with horses both in the thoroughbred or harness industries.
Courtesy of Community College Gippsland and the West Gippsland Trader