Senior Equine Apprentice (Breeding) Abingdon & Witney College

Abingdon and Witney College have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Equine Apprentice at their Common Leys Farm campus near Witney. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with good basic experience to move into a breeding environment within the college’s award-winning thoroughbred stud. The role includes mucking out, supervising others in basics and handling horses including breeding stock.

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Closing date: 15 Jan 2024

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £15,392.00

  • Working week

    37 hours on a rota. May include some bank holiday and weekend work.

    Total hours per week: 37

  • Expected duration

    18 Months

  • Possible start date

    29 Jan 2024

  • Date posted

    03 Aug 2023

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000188530

  • Positions

    1 available

What you will do in your working day

  • Yard morning checks
  • Turning out
  • Mucking out
  • Supervising others in basics
  • Handling horses including breeding stock
  • Grooming horses
  • Exercising horses
  • Assist with foaling
  • Natural covering support
  • Full foaling process
  • Vet visits 
  • Preparation for sale
  • Attend horse sales
  • Supervise day to day tasks

The training you will be getting

Duration:

18 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:

  •  Work-based training with your employer
  •  Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week for 1 year)
  • Bi-monthly on-site subject assessor visits
  •  Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
  • Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work.

Qualifications included:

  • Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths (if required)
  • Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Senior Equine Groom

End Point Assessment:

  • Knowledge Test
  • Practical Observation
  • Portfolio Submission
  • Professional Discussion

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

This apprenticeship is an excellent springboard to opportunities within the wider equine industry.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Customer care skills, Excellent work ethic, Strong team player, Able to demonstrate flexibilty, Passionate about horses, An interest in breeding horses, Keen to learn and develop, Prepared to work outside, Good level of horse management, Experience in equine yard, Handle horses confidently, Professional outlook

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 4/C) Desired
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 4/C) Desired

Things to consider

Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early. Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to attend an Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session at Witney or Abingdon campus. This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions. As a new Apprenticeship applicant you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session please call us on 01235 216216. Qualification checks By applying for this vacancy you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £4.81 per hour from April 2022 but many employers pay more than this. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training. Working in Equine Please note that much of this role is based outside within the farm’s breeding stud so you must be willing to work in all weathers.

About the employer

Abingdon and Witney College provide a wide range of courses and apprenticeships across Oxfordshire. The Common Leys campus is a 60-acre plot in Oxfordshire designed to deliver land-based courses. The facility is home to animals such as a family of meerkats, horses, sheep, pigs, goats and cattle. The Common Leys Campus was graded "outstanding" by Ofsted in January 2014. Witney Stud Farm is based at the Common Leys campus and is home to a thoroughbred stud and equestrian centre which was recently awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize.

Employer

Abingdon & Witney College

Address

Pitts Lane, Hailey

Witney

Oxfordshire

OX29 9UU

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Training

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

Adjustments for experience

You could reduce your training time, or finish your apprenticeship faster, if you have relevant prior learning or experience. This could be relevant:

  • training
  • qualifications, like an NVQ in a relevant field
  • industry or sector experience

Contact

Apprenticeships Abingdon & Witney

apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

01235216216

Apprenticeship standard

Senior equine groom

Level 3 (A level)

Demonstrating experience

If your application is successful, you will have a chance to discuss your relevant prior learning or experience with your training provider and employer. You will all need to agree any adjustments to your training plan.

You should be prepared to show your competence, and evidence of relevant qualifications

Before you apply

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