Certificate III in Equine Studies

Training package entry requirements

There are no training package requirements for this qualification.

GOTAFE preferred entry requirements

Before being accepted into the course, applicants must:

• Attend an interview (Adult students only).
• Undertake a Pre-training Review to document previous work experience and qualifications and assess suitability for the course (Adult students only).
• Complete a Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) test to ensure the required language, literacy and numeracy levels are met for the course (Adult students only).

Applicants must also:

• Have had some experiences with horses.
• Be aware that working with horses can be physically demanding and a moderate level of physical fitness, agility and strength is required. Students must be able to perform tasks including carrying feed/water buckets, manoeuvring wheelbarrows, using brooms, rakes, shovels and lifting gear (e.g. rugs/saddles) onto a horse.
• Be over 15 years of age at the time of commencement.
• Complete a self-assessment of their horse skills, prior to entry.
• Have an intermediate level of digital literacy and reliable access to a computer and the internet in order to undertake the considerable online components of the course.

It is recommended students have current Tetanus immunisation.

VETDSS selection process will involve the student’s school VET coordinator who will approve the student engaging in this VETDSS program.

Assessments will be varied and have been designed to provide students to build a portfolio of evidence of their skills and knowledge. Assessment methods may include:

• Online quizzes
• Annotated photos
• Written assignments
• Practical assessment

Students must wear closed in footwear for all practical tasks to comply with OH&S requirements.

Skye Rhodes-Mitchell

It is important that students commit to all course requirements, including study and assessments the students may need to complete outside their normal training sessions. These include online learning, weekly webinars and tutorials. A webinar schedule is provided on enrolment and webinars are recorded for convenience.

Adult students

• The course will be completed part-time over 1 year.
• Students undertake training by attending 38 x 1 hour webinars/tutorials and 5 one-day practical workshops.
• Adults must complete 40 hours of placement in the equine industry, where they will undertake duties related to their units of study and gain valuable knowledge and skills.
• Adults are required to attend the first practical workshop on commencement of course, with the other four training workshops highly recommended.

VETDSS students

• The course will be completed part-time over 2 years.
• Students must receive the endorsement of their school to enrol in this course.
• In Year 1, training comprises of 28 x 1 hour webinars/tutorials, 2 x practical skills workshop days plus an optional 1 x day excursion of horse breeding stud enterprises.
• Students in Year 1 must complete 40 hours of placement in the equine industry, where they will undertake duties related to their units of study and gain valuable knowledge and skills.
• In Year 2, training comprises of 28 x 1 hour compulsory webinars/tutorials, plus 3 x webinars/tutorials for exam revision if undertaking studies for ATAR, and finally 3 x practical workshop training days.

Some commonly asked questions:

1. Can I do this online?
   Yes but attendance at practical days is required.
2. What experience do I need to do this course?
   This course requires students to have some experience with horses.
3. When is assessment work due?
   Assessment work is due throughout the duration of the program, with one resubmission allowed per assessment if work is deemed 'not satisfactory'.
4. Do I have to do a placement?
   Yes 40 hours in total.

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Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.

Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:

• Aspirations/career goals
• Educational attainment and capability
• Literacy and numeracy skills
• Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Enrolment in general public entry courses will require a selection interview. Please call 1300 468 233 to enquire further.

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.