Equine Groom Standard Apprenticeship Level 2
Course Details
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Department
Equine -
Qualification
Level 2 -
Length
1 Year -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
An apprenticeship is a job with training. The job must have a productive purpose and should provide the apprentice with the opportunity to embed and consolidate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for their immediate job and future career.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
As a minimum requirement, all new Apprentices are expected to have already have attained L1 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 2 (or old GCSE Grade E) or above
Cost for students aged Under 19
Free
for students over the age of 19 please contact us
Course summary
The Equine Groom is a fundamental occupational role in all equine businesses, and vital to an industry that contributes over £8bn to the British economy each year. Horse industries are steeped in tradition, yet embrace innovation and technology.
Apprentices will be entering a vocational industry, where they can expect to handle a variety of horses in different working environments. They must adhere to safe working practices, be prepared to work in all weather conditions and often in “out of hours” situations. They will be required to have dedication, commitment and the physical and mental toughness to cope with the rigours of the role. Living on site for part or all of the duration of the apprenticeship may be necessary.
The occupation requires competent individuals who are committed to the safety and welfare of the horses in their care. This is a practical, “hands on” occupation where apprentices will work under supervision individually or as part of a diverse team. The Equine Groom is an integral part in the life of the horse, providing essential day-to-day care. They will be involved with feeding, grooming, cleaning equipment, handling, preparing, exercising the horses and carrying out routine yard duties.
The Equine Groom may also be required to assist with the preparation of, transport to and care for horses at competitions, the races, sales, shows and other public appearances. Appropriate people skills will also be essential.
The Equine Groom apprentice will need to decide in which sector of the industry they wish to work and select the appropriate occupational route.
This apprenticeship is the starting point for those wishing to work directly in the equine industry as a groom. On completion apprentices can progress to the Senior Equine Groom apprenticeship, where they have sufficient responsibility within their job role.
Key Information
Through your daily work with your employer and your training sessions with the college, you will learn the core content covering the generic requirements of looking after horses competently including:
- Carry out all yard and field duties to include mucking out, skipping out, tidying and cleaning the yard, watering and feeding.
- Assess suitability of stabling and grassland environments for horses including checking for hazards etc.
- Assist with the arrival of a new horse to the yard, following current yard procedures and measures to prevent and control the spread of disease.
- Recognise, identify and describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings, including basic anatomy and points of the horse.
- Recognise signs of good and poor welfare (including ill health) and check for injuries, including before and after travel.
- Report relevant information and assist with medical treatment and other industry specialists, including Senior Groom, Dentist, Farrier, Veterinary surgeon.
- Handle a variety of horses in the workplace to include tying up, leading, trotting up, turning out and catching in.
- Grooming horses including checking feet and shoes, and demonstrate trimming and plaiting.
- Fit, use and care for a variety of common saddlery, equipment and horse clothing.
- Prepare horse(s) for travel, and assist with loading and unloading.
- Prepare for and provide a variety of appropriate non-ridden exercise including an introduction to lungeing.
You will follow one of the five specialised routes appropriate to where they are working from:
- Breeding
- Driving
- Racing
- Riding
- Non-riding
On successful completion of the training period, you will move through End Point Assessment Gateway and be in a position to undertake the assessments required in order to achieve your apprenticeship.
The End Point Assessment will only start once the employer is satisfied that you are consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements have been met and that they can be evidenced to an End Point Assessment Organisation.
The End Point Assessor will be appointed by the EPAO and will be entirely independent to the college.
For this apprenticeship the End Point Assessment will include:
- Multiple choice knowledge online exam
- Practical assessment of tasks in your workplace
- Professional discussion in your workplace
Your apprenticeship will be graded Fail, Pass or Distinction.
The duration of the apprenticeship is based on a skills analysis and the development opportunities within the business.
The maximum duration for this apprenticeship training period is 18 months, with a further period to undertake the End Point Assessment.
This could be reduced where an apprentice holds previous experience.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
As a minimum requirement, all new Apprentices are expected to have already have attained L1 Maths & English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 2 (or old GCSE Grade E) or above
All Apprentices will also be required to work towards L2 Maths & English where not previously attained.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training, where fees are applicable. We will discuss this with your employer when we complete a set-up with them.
The fees charged for the apprenticeship include any awarding body registration costs, all on-programme teaching, assessment and support delivered by the college, support materials, access to college facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required.
Employers must pay apprentices at least the minimum rate set out by current National Minimum Wage Legislation. This includes payment for all off-job learning and any associated costs such as travel and accommodation.
Click here to find more information about the National Minimum Wage.
Employer involvement
Your employer must enable you to spend a minimum of 20% of your usual work hours undertaking off-job learning. This is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This can include training that is delivered at your normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of your normal working duties, and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard.
Off-job learning could include the following:
– Teaching of theory such as lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning
– Practical training such as shadowing experienced staff or mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions
– Study support and time spent writing assessments/assignments
Your employer must commit to supporting you in the workplace, participating in progress review meetings, providing use of ICT facilities so you can access your e-portfolio and agreeing/ensuring your readiness for the End Point Assessment. They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the End Point Assessment.
Further details of the End Point Assessment will be made available to you during your induction.
College input
We will support you through regular Apprenticeship Progress Review meetings with you and your manager, ensuring well planned vocational training takes place and support your theory learning in the workplace with a range of learning materials.
How to apply
Applications should be made using the college application form or via the college website. This form can be found at: https://www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/application/register.
Upon receipt of your application you will have an interview with the Course Manager.
Further information
Further information is available on:
Equine groom / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Or, for more information, contact the Apprenticeship Admin team on:
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York Campus
York is one of the College's two residential campuses and is located just four miles from York city centre. At York we offer a full range of subject areas and levels including Apprenticeships, Level 1-3 Diplomas, Foundation, Top Up and BSc Honours Degrees.
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