Toronto, ON – The Ontario Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program is inviting licensed Quarter Horse breeders and trainers to sign up as Pathway Mentors for the Pathway to Employment and Education Program. Pathway Mentors are eligible for a wage subsidy attached to Pathway Students hired from the two-day Groom One Orientation session being held at the Pickering Horse Centre on April 15th & 16th, 2010.

There will be a BBQ hosted on the afternoon of April 16th for interested breeders and trainers who want the opportunity to meet the students at the Orientation session, and learn more about becoming a Pathway Mentor.

The Groom One Orientation session is the first phase of the Pathway Program. Students that attend both days of the Groom One Orientation session are recognized as Pathway Students and have a wage subsidy attached to their employment with a Pathway Mentor. Pathway Mentors are encouraged to support the skills development of these employees, as well as their completion of the Groom One Certificate in 2010. To find out more about the Groom One Certificate Program visit Equine Guelph at www.equineguelph.ca.

To be eligible to receive the wage subsidy as a Pathway Mentor, you must:

• Enrol as a Pathway Mentor

• Be a licensed Quarter Horse breeder or licensed Quarter Horse trainer

• Provide proof of employment for the Pathway Student

• Provide a valid Workman’s Compensation Payroll Account Number at time of enrolment

• Employ a Pathway Student

The Ontario Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program has developed the Pathway to Employment and Education Program to increase the labour pool; promote skills development in the labour pool; and encourage employers to foster skills development for employees.

To enrol as a Pathway Mentor, eligible Quarter Horse breeders and trainers may contact the Program Coordinator directly, or download an application form from the Quarter Horse Program section of the Ontario Racing Commission website at www.ontarioracingcommission.ca.

Tel: 416-213-0520

Fax: 416-213-7827

Email: qhprogram@ontarioracingcommission.ca