Galloping ahead to good jobs

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THE Government will introduce equine courses for technical and vocational school students nationwide in 2013.

The Education Ministry had ini-tiated a pilot programme since the start of this year to expose teachers and students to equine studies under the Technical and Vocational Training Division.

Thus far, seven teachers have successfully completed four of the 18 months’ training at the Penang Turf Club (PNTC) under the Vo- cational School Teachers’ Training Programme, which is organised by the Ministry and conducted by the Malaysian Equine Council (MEC).

The teachers are from SM Vokasional Sungei Buloh and SM Teknik Kajang.

They are currently undergoing monthly training in horsemanship and riding skills under the guidance of PNTC’s Equestrian Centre’s level two general coach (Australia) Johari Lee.

Malik: We hope that the industry will recognise the training as a prerequisite for employment.

MEC executive secretary Datuk Malik Jeremiah said the teachers would be recognised as equestrian coaches under the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme.

“The primary objective is to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge so that they will be able to train their students in horse care and management,” he said.

The Penang Horse Show 2011 which will be held next month will be the first official competition for these teachers.

They will be taking part in the show’s Dressage and Pony Club Challenge.

Malik said the teachers would be given a coaching certificate by the MEC upon completion of their training end of next year.

“As part of the pilot project, 36 vocational school students will also be trained for the Level One and Level Two of the National Occupational Skills Standards in Horse Care and Management (Racing and Equestrian sectors).

“The training will be at two venues — the Malaysian Armed Forces Equestrian Centre in Sungei Besi and the Skuadron Istiadat Berkuda in Sungei Buloh,” he said.

He added that the students would be presented with the Malaysian Skills Certificate issued by the Human Resources Ministry.

Malik also said that with the training, students could work as a syce or in other related sectors.

“It is our hope that the indus- try will recognise the training as a prerequisite for employment,” he said.