Your guide to Equine Groom Apprenticeships Level 2

Alongside our sponsorship of Redcar Racecourse, Rhona Pinder of Empentis Training Solutions visited Redcar Racecourse to discuss our new Equine Groom Level 2 Apprenticeship.

Transcript.

Okay, so it’s quite a big change really for you to go from Karl Burkes yard, to now the training officer for Empentis Training Solutions. And it’s because the company is launching a new qualification to support stable staff at Racing Yards. Can you tell us about the new qualification?

Rhona: Yes. So basically the Equine Groom Lvl 2 course. Absolutely anybody is able to enroll on the course, and not just in racing either. I can do show jumpers, eventers and hunters so all courses really. And the racing group, it can be tailored to suit whichever the pupil decides to do, whether they or are just on the ground, and they don’t ride, or whether they want more experience riding out being a work rider  

Just in case any trainers are listening at the moment. This is something that won’t interfere with everyday life at the yard. This is at the yard, within working hours.

Rhona: Yeah, definitely. Which I think is a great selling point. Because I know working in the races myself. It’s very busy. You’re kind of hands on all the time. You don’t get even ten minutes spare. So I will come to the yard, and visit the learner whilst they’re doing their jobs and teach them on the job.

And the yards can actually apply for some funding as well as towards this apprenticeship can’t they, can you tell us a little bit about that?

Rhona: Yeah. So any yard which enroles a learner which is aged 16 up to 18, they will receive a £1,000 government incentive for being on the course.

Do you wish that this have been available when you were younger and just making your way in racing?

Rhona: Definitely, yeah, especially when I first started out racing because I come from an eventing background and anyone who knows both codes know it’s completely different. Racing as other sport in the horse industry, so to have a bit of guidance… for someone to actually come to me and know, it’s not just, racing and horses. It teaches, you know, they do functional skills, you get your English and Maths along with the course.

So what it’s been going for, it was launched about a month ago. What kind of take up from, trainers have you had so far?

Rhona: It’s been great, so far we have eight learners signed up. We’ve been up to trainers with like… Paul Robson and Mickey Hammond signed a learner on. David Thompson, Andy Crook. I think there’s 8 people on at the minute. I mean, there’s no maximum capacity. We travel all over England.

See you are here today. I’m delighted to welcome you as sponsors, and you’re going to be on hand to answer any questions. So if we’ve got any trainers, anybody from racing stables here today that are interested in the personal development of their staff. Come along, have a chat to Rhona. You’re going to be here all day. Thank you so much for your support here at Redcar today! Good luck with the new course.

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If you are interested in Empentis Training Solutions’ Equine Groom Level 2 Apprenticeship for yourself or your staff. Get in touch with Rhona today.