For those with their hearts set on a job working with horses, an equine apprenticeship can help you pave the way to a successful career.
As a horse care apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills and experience on-the-job, as well as earn a wage. Take a look at the key reasons why an apprenticeship could be the perfect career move…
1. You’ll get paid for pursuing your passion for horses – right from the get go!
Equine apprenticeships emphasise work-based training in a real job, meaning you’ll be paid for your work and benefit from having a regular income. The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices currently sits at around £3.90 per hour*, however many employers pay more than this, and often apprentices’ earnings rise as they become more experienced. Not only this…
2. Your employer will pay for your training!
An equine apprenticeship is a debt free route to a career in horses. Not only will you be earning a wage, you will have no course fees to pay as these are covered by your employer! In other words, you will be gaining valuable experience in the workplace for FREE!
What’s more – as an equine apprentice at CAW you may be eligible to purchase an TOTUM card for just £12, meaning you could make big savings on many of the top brands, including Amazon, The Co-operative Food and Odeon!
3. You’ll undertake an employer-led programme of study!
Our equine apprenticeships have been developed in conjunction with employers, meaning you will learn the most relevant and up-to-date skills required by industry. Over the course of your apprenticeship you will cover everything from horse anatomy, physiology and welfare, to yard and field routines and safe working practices.
4. You’ll gain real job prospects!
An equine apprenticeship offers the opportunity to secure a permanent position with your employer of choice on completion of formal studies. Starting out as an apprentice has proved to lead to real job prospects for many. According to research by the National Apprenticeship Service, 85% of apprentices will remain in employment on completion of their apprenticeship, with 64% of those staying with the same employer.*
If you’re looking for job security and the opportunity to progress in your career, an equine apprenticeship could be the most secure way to develop with further education and training.
5. You can tailor your programme to your job role and interests!
Our equine apprenticeships are studied on a work based learning basis. There are five specialised routes to choose from (Breeding, Riding, Driving, Non-Riding and Racing) allowing you to tailor the course to your interests, job requirements and career objectives. Not only this, but as the apprenticeship is work-based you may start at any time of the year, and will not be required to attend college for tuition!
6. Tutors and colleagues will help you grow into your role!
A combination of workplace experience and online tuition means you will be mentored by tutors and colleagues with a wealth of knowledge each and every day. This will allow you to develop your confidence, knowledge and practical skills faster; and make meaningful industry connections that will prove invaluable as your career develops. Additionally, as our equine apprenticeships are work-based, one of our experienced Work-based Learning Assessors will support you through your qualification via email and telephone contact and regular visits to your place of work.
7. You will begin a rewarding career early, and get a head start in the world of work!
If you’re a horse lover, chances are you jump any opportunity to interact with horses. By undertaking an equine apprenticeship, you will be able to put your love of horses to good use straight away and make a real difference to the lives of horses every single day – and this will prove invaluable when it comes to seeking employment in future.
Proving you have relevant, practical experience is essential to securing your first role in any industry, but no more so than in horse care. In a competitive job market, a theoretical knowledge of horse care alone is simply not enough to stand out. You have to be able to understand how this knowledge applies to real scenarios. Gaining years of experience in horse care as part of an equine apprenticeship is therefore a significant advantage and addition to your CV!
8. You will start contributing to the economy early!
Apprenticeships are forecast to contribute over £3bn by 2022, and it is estimated that the average apprentice improves business productivity by £214 per week.* As such working as an apprentice means you will be playing your part in boosting productivity both within the workplace and the economy!
9. You will lay the foundations for further study!
For many people university is the dream, but choosing an apprenticeship over university now doesn’t mean you will never make it to campus in the future. On the contrary, successful completion of the Senior Equine Groom (Level 3 Apprenticeship) could help you lay the foundation for higher education (subject to individual university entry requirements).
10. You’ll have a competitive edge!
Consider what position you will be in once you’ve completed your apprenticeship. You will be qualified to undertake a range of horse care duties and be able to work towards higher certifications if you wish to do so. You will have gained real world experience and skills learnt from on-the-job training.
Not only this, you’ve achieved all of this without paying a penny. Put simply, you will be turning your passion into a career – and being paid for the opportunity to do so! What’s not to love?
If you’re thinking that an apprenticeship could be the perfect way for you to turn your love of horses into a career, start your journey with The College of Animal Welfare today! Our work-based apprenticeship programmes can be undertaken within a 90 minute radius of our Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire) centres.