- Framework:
- Equine
- Level:
- 2 / 3 / 4
The Equine industry in Wales is made up of a number of sub areas including: riding schools, livery yards, competition yards, racing yards, clubs and hunts, instructors, working horses and studs and diversified Equine activities. This provides a wide range of jobs which include: looking after the horses health and welfare, cleaning stables, riding horses for exercise and preparing horses for competitions.
Apprenticeship in Equine provide an entry route into the sector and is suitable for those people who have a keen interest and are looking for a career working with horses. Following the successful completion of the Apprenticeship, there are many opportunities available which could include specialising within the profession, completing other vocational courses or progressing into Further and/or Higher Education.
If you are interested in working with horses, there are many different types of jobs, for example working in a riding school, a groom in a show jumping or breeding yard, learning to drive harness horses, becoming a yard manager or a rider and horse trainer, or you may wish to become more specialist and work with racehorses.
The entry conditions for the framework is the employer’s and training provider’s confidence in your ability to develop the skills and knowledge required to work within the Equine industry.
Pathway options and levels
Equine – Level 2
Pathway 1: Supports job roles such as Assistant Groom - Non-ride, Assistant Groom – Ride and Assistant Stud Groom/Hand Trek Assistant.
Pathway 2: Supports job roles such as Assistant Stud Groom/Hand, Assistant Groom - Non-ride, Assistant Groom – Ride, Apprentice Jockey, and Conditional Jockey.
Pathway 3: Supports job roles such as Assistant Groom - Non-ride Supporting Harness Horse Trainer and Assistant Groom – Agriculture.
Equine – Level 3
Pathway 1: Supports roles such as Groom, Assistant Yard Manager, Trek Leader and Intermediate Instructor/Level 3 Coach.
Pathway 2: Supports roles such as Groom, Assistant, Yard Manager and Jockey.
Pathway 3: Supports roles such as Harness Horse Groom, Harness Horse Driver, Assistant Harness Horse Trainer and Harness Horse Groom – Agriculture.
Equine – Level 4
Pathway 1: Supports Yard Manager job role.
Pathway 2: Supports Rider and Horse Trainer job role.
Further information
Duration
Level 2: 18 months
Level 3: 18 months
Level 4: 18 months
Progression routes
Level 2 Progression to employment or Further Education courses such as:
- Level 3 Equine Apprenticeship Level 3 Certificate in Horse Management Equine Behaviour
- Level 3 Diploma in Workbased Horse Care and Management
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Care and Management
Level 3 Progression to Employment or Higher Apprenticeship in Equine or other Higher Education courses such as a HNC/D, Foundation Degree or Degree (BSc). If you wish to continue development of skills and qualifications beyond Degree level, opportunities exist to progress further, courses such as a Masters Degree.
Level 4 Progression to employment, further opportunities to progress within the industry, Higher Education courses such as HNC/D, Foundation Degree or Degree.
Qualifications
Level 2: Level 2 qualification in chosen pathway
Level 3: Level 2 qualification in chosen pathway
Level 4: Level 4 qualification in chosen pathway
What are the entry requirements for this pathway?
All apprenticeship pathways in Wales have entry requirements.
If you are interested in undertaking this pathway – you need to have the following entry level qualification(s);
Level 2
There are no specific entry requirements for the Equine Foundation Apprenticeship, however, there are qualifications or experience that will help learners understand the sector prior to starting:
- Level 1 Certificate in Caring for Horses
- Level 1 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care
- Level 1 Diploma in Work-based Racehorse Care
- Riding Level 1 Certificate in Stage 1 Horse Knowledge, Care and Riding
- Level 1 NVQ in Horse Care
- Have previously worked in, or are currently working within the industry. GCSEs/A levels
- Welsh Baccalaureate units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Foundation Apprenticeship.
Progression opportunities onto the Equine Foundation Apprenticeship also exist for adult learners who have experience within the Equine industry or who are looking for a career.
Level 3
The Equine industry want the entry requirements for the Apprenticeship to be flexible, so therefore has suggested that one of the following should be completed:
- Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care/Racehorse Care
- Level 2 Diploma for the Harness Horse Groom
- Level 2 Diploma in Horse Knowledge and Care
- Level 2 Extended Certificate in Horse Care Practical experience within the Equine industry 3 GCSEs (A*-C)/A levels
- Welsh Baccalaureate units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Apprenticeship.
As there are many qualifications within Equine, those named above are a few suggestions.
Level 4
The Equine industry want the entry requirements for the Higher Apprenticeship to be flexible, so therefore has suggested that one of the following should be completed:
- Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care and Management/Racehorse Care and Management
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Care and Management
- Level 3 Certificate in Horse Care
- Level 3 Certificate in Riding Horses on the Flat
- Level 3 Award in the Principles of Horse Care
- Three years practical experience within the Equine industry
- 2 AS/A levels
- Welsh Baccalaureate units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Higher Apprenticeship