Groom Level 3 Apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship duration will be between 18-24 months.
This apprenticeship has been designed for the job role requirements of the Senior Groom. The role of a Senior Groom consists of advanced horse care understanding and the ability to organise and lead a team.
The role of a Senior Groom includes:
• A clear grasp of horse anatomy and physiology.
• Assessing and promoting equine health.
• Treating common minor injuries and ailments.
• Grooming, plaiting, clipping and presenting horses to a professional standard.
• Managing a small to medium sized equine yard and supervising a team.
• Offering advice, support and guidance to a team.
The Senior Equine Groom will provide for and coordinate the day to day care of the horses in the workplace. They will possess all the necessary skills to lead by example and will have the knowledge required to implement effective systems relating to the running of the yard. They will be capable of organising and monitoring the quality of work and ordering and maintaining supplies.
If you have a passion for horses, becoming a Groom is a very rewarding and fulfilling job.
A work-based apprenticeship will:
• Help you work at the commercial speed equine employers expect.
• Increase your confidence in leading a team in the workplace.
• Give you the skills and knowledge to become a qualified senior member of staff.
• Give you a reference for your CV that demonstrates you can do your job to a high level.
• Gain essential employability skills to give you the best start in your career.
- Maths and English
Maths and English will be included in the delivery of the programme; unless you have achieved Grade A-C or 1-4 at GCSE level, or a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification.
You will have to complete your Functional Skills at Level 2 to achieve the full qualification. Teaching and support for Maths and English will be given in the workplace and contextualised to the working environment.
- Entry requirements, eligibility and employment
Entry requirements and eligibility
To access the Government funding to become an apprentice Senior Groom you will need to:
• Be any age.
• Have been an EU resident for a minimum of 3 years.
• Not be in full time education; school, college, university or on another apprenticeship.
• Not have already completed a Level 3 in Horse Care through college or an Apprenticeship.
• Not have completed a Level 4 qualification or higher (Foundation Degree or Degree) in an Equine subject.To complete the Senior Groom Apprenticeship you will need to have a Level 2 qualification in Horse Care or the equivalent experience.
Employment
- You will be a full time, employed member of staff
- You can be paid the minimum of £3.50 per hour (National Minimum Apprenticeship Wage April 2017), unless you are aged 19 or over and completed the first year of your apprenticeship
- You will need to have a contract of employment with your employer
Working hours in line with the Working Time Directive
If you are aged between 16-17, the maximum weekly hours you can work is 40 hours. You can only work a 5 day a week and you must receive two consecutive days off.
If you are aged over 18 years old, the maximum you can work is 40 hours. You do not need to have two consecutive days off.
- Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be regularly assessed in the workplace by your Trainer-Coach with testimonies from your Employer/Trainer. Case studies, pictures/videos and some written assignments/workbooks may also be used by your Assessor to check your knowledge and understanding.
- What are the next steps in your career?
After completing a Level 3 Apprenticeship you can be hired as a fully qualified and highly competent member of staff.
If you want to move into higher education the apprenticeship does not carry UCAS points but it does give you industry experience and a thorough understanding of horse care, which will help enhance your application to do a Foundation Degree or full Degree.
The equine industry is vast. In your career with horses there’ll be scope to move up the ladder, across disciplines and it can even take you abroad.
Take a look at our Groom Career Path, click here!
Pathways
There are four pathways you can take depending on the type of employer you start an apprenticeship with. You’ll need to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills at each level to complete the one you choose.
Take this route if you wish to ride horses as part of you apprenticeship. This can be across any discipline.
At Level 2 you’ll learn the rules of the school, riding terminology, and how to ride in a secure, balanced position.
At Level 3 you’ll be taught the principles of equitation theory, the use of exercises over ground poles and other key riding skills.
The non-riding pathway is for those who want to gain horse care knowledge but at the same time learn how to run a successful business.
At Level 2 you’ll learn to read customer needs and be given a further understanding of the IT systems and skills used in the workplace.
At Level 3 you’ll master the preparation of saddlery and equipment both in work and at competitions, as well as being given key insights into the significance and benefits of promoting a business through various channels.
You can complete this pathway with a competition horse or thoroughbred horse stud. Your assessment will include a full understanding of equine reproduction, care of brood mares and of foals, and how to work safely in the environment.
At Level 2 you’ll learn the methods, equipment and technology currently used to breed and register equines.
At Level 3 you’ll learn about foaling and the care of mares and neonates, including fostering and how to manage an emergency foaling situation.
Within this pathway there’s a riding or non-riding route.
At Level 2 you’ll learn how to provide care for racehorses both at home and at the races, and gain a greater understanding of the racing industry.
At Level 3 you’ll be supervising racehorses and staff on the yard and at the races, as well as handling and preparing thoroughbreds.
- Riding
Take this route if you wish to ride horses as part of you apprenticeship. This can be across any discipline.
At Level 2 you’ll learn the rules of the school, riding terminology, and how to ride in a secure, balanced position.
At Level 3 you’ll be taught the principles of equitation theory, the use of exercises over ground poles and other key riding skills.
- Non-riding
The non-riding pathway is for those who want to gain horse care knowledge but at the same time learn how to run a successful business.
At Level 2 you’ll learn to read customer needs and be given a further understanding of the IT systems and skills used in the workplace.
At Level 3 you’ll master the preparation of saddlery and equipment both in work and at competitions, as well as being given key insights into the significance and benefits of promoting a business through various channels.
- Breeding
You can complete this pathway with a competition horse or thoroughbred horse stud. Your assessment will include a full understanding of equine reproduction, care of brood mares and of foals, and how to work safely in the environment.
At Level 2 you’ll learn the methods, equipment and technology currently used to breed and register equines.
At Level 3 you’ll learn about foaling and the care of mares and neonates, including fostering and how to manage an emergency foaling situation.
- Racing
Within this pathway there’s a riding or non-riding route.
At Level 2 you’ll learn how to provide care for racehorses both at home and at the races, and gain a greater understanding of the racing industry.
At Level 3 you’ll be supervising racehorses and staff on the yard and at the races, as well as handling and preparing thoroughbreds.
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