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Workforce Characteristics:
Regional Concentrations of the Workforce
Changing Skills Demands
Current Employment Trends
Predicted increase of 8,900 in numbers employed 2001-06. Business numbers
also expected to rise by 1,000
Job opportunities will be created through the need to replace people who retire, change career, as well as net demand created through employment expansion. Even where employment is declining overall, net occupational demand can still generate a significant number of ‘job opportunities’ and therefore related training requirements.
Future Skill Needs
The industry values on ‘hands on’ experience highly, which
it is felt leads to a better standard of care and knowledge base. However,
often there is a lack in managerial, administration
and business planning skills. Increased uptake and
demand for ancillary professions to meet the growing interest in animal
welfare and the environment. Vacancies for qualified instructors remain
good as awareness of the importance of technical and skilled input is
raised.
As farms diversify, and the leisure industry grows, demand for equine services are increasing. New riders are frequently young professionals who demand more of staff and require higher standard of facilities. Practical skills and a strong understanding and empathy with horses are fundamental to the industry. Additionally, good customer care, communication, IT and management skills are becoming increasingly important.
Skills Supply – Education and Training source:Lantra
Current provision
Provision of equine courses has significantly expanded over the last few
years. Some colleges and training providers have invested considerable amounts
in the development of facilities including stables, indoor riding areas
and equine physiotherapy pools. This is an area like animal care that has
been driven to expand by demand from prospective students and the same questions
of destination and retention within the industry apply.
Qualifications
There are 54 awards available to the equine industry from notional level
1 to notional level 5, reduced from 71. The most used qualifications at
notional levels 1 to 4 are BHS Horse Knowledge and Care (including Riding
at level 3). The stage 1 award is well established within the industry and
tends to be used as a foundation for progress to the subsequent stages.
Much equine provision is being revised over the next year into a system
of qualifications at each notional level which offer progression for candidates
and clarity for employers. There is a potential gap at level 3 for an NVQ/SVQ
unit on coaching and there is currently no NVQ/SVQ level 4. Research suggests
that the NVQ/SVQ at level 4 could be available in the near future given
support by an awarding body.
Estimated Required Workforce Skill Levels Compared to Estimated
Workforce Qualifications
Lack of qualified people at NVQ/SVQ level 2 and above. It is quite possible
that many workers with low or no qualifications have considerable skills
at higher levels although not evidenced by formal qualifications.
Vacancies and Recruitment Difficulties (External Skill Shortages)
Only 17% of equine businesses surveyed by Lantra reported a current vacancy.
36% reported a recruitment difficulty over the past 12 months. 55% reported
difficulty recruiting unskilled workers. Reasons for recruitment difficulty
were reported as:
Internal Skill Gaps
17% of equine businesses reported a skills gap in their workforce, i.e.
employees do not meet the skill requirements of the employer. Businesses
reported significant skills gaps with employees from the more highly skilled
occupations, see below:
Job specific skills were most lacking, followed by communication skills
and showing initiative.
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