All you need to know about apprenticeships in the equestrian industry

During National Apprenticeship Week (5th – 11th February 2024) we will be showcasing apprenticeships available through Doncaster Equine College. Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to find out more about apprenticeships, interviews with those currently undertaking an apprenticeship and how an apprenticeship could benefit you.

Below are a series of questions about apprenticeships to benefit both the employer and employee.

Who is eligible for an Apprenticeship? Anyone over the age of 16, who is currently employed in an equine yard (for a minimum of 16 hours a week) and the employer is willing to support the apprenticeship. The learner must be capable of achieving Maths and English at the required level.

How much does an Apprenticeship cost? An apprenticeship is free for the apprentice however there may be a small cost to the employer depending on the age of the learner and the size of the business. (aged 18 years or over and more than 50 employees)

How long does an Apprenticeship take? An apprenticeship takes a minimum of 12 months, but this depends on the learner.

How is an Apprenticeship completed? Once the learner’s portfolio has been completed and the employer, learner and training provider all agree that the learner is at the required standard then the learner will sit an online knowledge test. If they achieve the online knowledge test they will take part in an End Point Assessment (EPA) which includes a 5 or 6 hour practical observation followed by a professional discussion carried out by an Independent End Point Assessor from 1^st4Sport.

Where is an Apprenticeship completed? An apprenticeship is completed at the learner’s place of employment. The End Point Assessment (EPA), an assessment day that takes place at the end of the apprenticeships, is completed either at the leaner’s place of employment or at Doncaster Equine College, depending on what the employer prefers.

What are the advantages to completing an Apprenticeship? You can earn a wage as you learn and improve your skills and knowledge in your job role.

How many levels of Apprenticeship are there in the equestrian industry? Level 2 Equine Groom and Level 3 Senior Equine Groom.

I already have an equine related qualification; can I still complete an Apprenticeship? It depends on what qualifications you already have. It may be that you do a shorter version of the apprenticeship.

I have a degree not related to horses, can I still complete an Apprenticeship? Yes, absolutely.

Will an Apprenticeship allow me to progress within my career? Yes, the aim of an apprenticeship is to develop your skills and knowledge in your chosen field and progress your career within the equine industry.

Will an Apprenticeship benefit my employer? You will have improved your skills, knowledge, and behaviours that will benefit your employer. There are often government incentives for employers to take on apprentices too.

As an employer, how do I hire an Apprentice? You can either sign up an existing employee or you can hire a new employee directly from Doncaster Equine College by contacting the Workbased Learning Manager (Emma Cassidy via E.Cassidy@theNHC.co.uk) or advertising for staff who would like to complete an apprenticeship.

How will an employee completing an Apprenticeship benefit my business? Individuals will have improved skills, knowledge, and behaviours, therefore it is a great benefit to an employer. There are often government incentives for taking on apprentices too.

Will an employee have to take time off work to complete an Apprenticeship? Yes, they will need time within their working hours to practice new skills and work with their workplace tutors. This should be an average of 20% of their contracted working hours.

If you have any further questions or would like to know more about apprenticeships in the horseracing industry, contact our team via info@DoncasterEquineCollege.co.uk 

Please note: the above information is correct as of February 2024. Government guidelines relating to apprenticeships may change.