The Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP) offers a six-week interactive training course for participants, taught by industry experts in horse health, grooming, management, and welfare. Upon completion, participants are assisted in finding relevant jobs in the horse industry, with employers having the opportunity to receive a 50% rebate on their employees’ wages for up to 18 weeks/$5,000.

Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph, played a key role in the creation of the OEEEP program and was recently recognized for her contributions to the horse industry. Equine Guelph runs the online course and supports student learning, with a focus on providing education and research within the industry.

Employers in the horse industry are encouraged to participate in the OEEEP program as a way to bring new talent into the industry and help build a stronger workforce. Employers who mentor students through the program have the opportunity to qualify for a wage subsidy and potentially hire the student they have been mentoring. Feedback from both employers and students has been positive, with many students finding their dream jobs through the program.