Equine Groom Apprentice

Duties will vary throughout the year, but basic stable management ie mucking out and feeding will be constant throughout the year, including field checks on youngsters and those loose housed in barns over the winter. During the foaling season (February to May), working hours will be somewhat flexible as we have to fit in with the mares, along with the daily vet visits, which will entail assisting the stud manager and vet in routine scanning of mares and foal checks.
After completion of the foaling season, we move onto the sales preparation and general management of the young stock.

Training:

Training will be provided both in the workplace and through day-release at Myerscough College, where you will work towards a Level 2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship Standard. The end point assessment will contain 3 components:

Knowledge Test (50 multiple choice questions lasting 75 mins). Minimum 70% pass mark to progress to other elements of End Point Assessment. Practical Observation (Approx. 5 hours). Assessor will observe the apprentice carrying out day-to-day role in the workplace, asking questions where necessary. Professional Discussion (lasting 60 - 75 min) Based around portfolio.

There will be 2 levels of achievement: Pass & Distinction

Training Outcome:

Whilst we hope that the applicant can grow and progress along with our organisation and become Stallion manager, foaling manager, stud manager etc.
We do, however, appreciate the global nature of our industry and would not be surprised if any prospective applicant upon completion of their apprenticeship decided to gain further experience abroad. Indeed, we would actively encourage this, always in the hope, of course, that they can bring their worldwide experience back to Willow Wood.

Employer Description:
The stud is family owned and run. With admin and office duties carried out by Ian and Irene Ross. The stud manager Stuart Ross ultimately would be responsible for day to day contact with the apprentice and allocating duties as their experience level grows. There are 4 other staff members all of whom are experienced “Horse People”

Working Hours :
The working week will, by the very nature of the position, have to be flexible. However, basically, it will consist of 5 eight-hour days from 8:30am to 7:00pm with a 30 min lunch break and two 15-min tea breaks one am and the other pm.

Skills:
Keen interest in horses,Ability to handle horses,Enjoys outdoor environment,Get along with other employees,Polite & courteous to clients