RELEASE: Survey launched to measure staffing issues and inform Industry People Board strategy

22 Nov 2023

Trainers and stable staff will shortly be contacted to give their views to improve recruitment, skills and retention of staff in the British racing industry.

The survey, which has been commissioned by the Industry People Board with funding from the Racing Foundation, is delivered in partnership with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the National Trainers Federation (NTF) and the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS). Trainers and stable staff will be contacted by independent research organisation Public Perspectives in the coming days to complete the survey.

The survey is the fourth in a series that provides robust data to measure progress of initiatives and identify new issues for employees and employers working on training yards. Previous surveys have been carried out in 2016, 2018 and 2021.

The results of the 2023 survey, along with those before it, will play a crucial part in shaping the strategy of the newly formed Industry People Board, which is leading the development of racing’s long-term plan for its workforce.

As well as highlighting any new issues that need addressing, the results will also serve to measure the progress of major initiatives funded by the Racing Foundation that have aimed to:

• Support the recruitment of stable staff into the racing industry – such as the Scottish Racing Academy, HEROS Racing Academy and the Riding a Dream Academy.
• Develop the skills of its workforce – including the Racing Staff Development Programme (RSDP); Rider Coaching Programme; NARS Education Programme; and an enhanced Jockey Coaching Programme.
• Encourage greater retention of staff – such as the Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS); Personal Development Programme for Jockeys; Racing Welfare’s Occupational Health Service and mental health support services.

The survey is part of the Racing Foundation’s ongoing investment in activities and initiatives to improve staff recruitment, training and retention. Since the 2016 baseline survey, the Racing Foundation has invested over £12million to address the issues highlighted in the surveys.

The survey will run from November and continue until early January. The racing industry is appealing to trainers and stable staff, who will be contacted directly, to participate in the study.

Tansy Challis, Chief Executive of the Racing Foundation, said:

“The Racing Foundation is once again happy to support the delivery of the racing yard surveys. 

“By using data in 2016 to set a baseline from which to measure progress and identify issues, we have been able to invest a significant level of targeted grant funding over the last six years and to monitor its impact. 

“The 2021 surveys highlighted that recruitment, skills and retention issues continue to negatively impact the racing industry and we felt the best way to deal with the challenges is to ensure a strategic approach is taken – one that considers the whole people journey and prioritises interventions that will have the greatest impact. 

“We are, therefore, encouraged by the formation of the Industry People Board and its aim to develop a People Strategy. 

“The data gathered by the 2023 surveys will play a crucial part in informing this strategy and we hope all trainers and stable staff will participate.”

Neil Hayward, Chair of the Industry People Board, said:

“The newly-formed Industry People Board has set itself and the industry ambitious aims in securing a workforce and working environment we can be proud of, and which sets an example to other sports.  

“We have much work to do and fundamental to that will be accurate and up-to-date data.  

“This data will enable us to make informed decisions and evaluate the impact of both current and future initiatives. 

“We appreciate the time and effort taken by those who respond to the survey.  

“The better the response rate the more detailed a picture we have about what is happening to, and what matters to, the industry’s workforce.”

Notes to editors:

1. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is the governing body for horseracing in Great Britain. Committed to maintaining the sport’s integrity and promoting diversity and inclusion, BHA collaborates with industry professionals to drive transformation and progress within the racing community.

2. The Industry People Board is the single point of accountability for the industry’s workforce strategies, with its work forming part of the wider Industry Strategy, which racing’s leaders committed to working towards in 2022. It was created to drive racing’s whole people strategy and is Chaired by Neil Hayward.

3. About the survey: The survey was first conducted in 2016 to establish a baseline of facts about recruitment, skills and retention in racing and the follow-up surveys in 2018 and 2021 helped measure progress and shape subsequent activity in this area. Previous survey results have shown that issues surrounding stable staff, including vacancy rate and retention rate, have not improved throughout the five year period. Indeed, in many areas these issues have worsened despite significant funding in the area. The need for a new strategic approach to deal with the challenges faced with recruitment, training and retention of stable staff drove the formation of the Industry People Board who will use the 2023 results, along with the results of the surveys before it, to inform their strategy.

4. About the Racing Foundation: In 2012 the Racing Foundation was established to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within the racing and thoroughbred industry following the sale of the Tote. Since inception it has awarded over £37million in grants. People, equine welfare, community engagement and environment and emerging issues are the key areas of focus in the 2021-2023 strategy. The Trustees of the Racing Foundation are Julia Budd (Chair), Linda Bowles, Jim Boyle, Susannah Gill, Louise Kemble, Alice Page, Rishi Persad and Algy Smith-Maxwell. The British Horseracing Authority, the Thoroughbred Group and Racecourse Association are the three joint Members of the Racing Foundation, which is registered with the Charity Commission as a charity under the law of England and Wales (no. 1145297).