Lackham Farm - Equine, qualifications and training

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Paper qualifications are not essential for all sectors equine industry. However for people without any qualifications at all, work tends to be poorly paid and seasonal. Some areas of the industry are difficult to get into without paper qualifications. There is a great range of qualifications on offer from basic introductory courses up to degree level, with many being run at your local college.

Always check that qualifications are recognised by a professional body so that you know it meets the standards required by the industry you are going into (especially if you are paying a private college or training organisation).

If you are thinking of setting up your own business – perhaps opening a livery stable – you can find relevant short courses at your local college and through your local trade organisations. These can include first aid, bookkeeping, customer service, etc. Basic skills courses to improve your English or maths are usually free.

Equine related qualifications available at your local college include:

BHS and ABRS qualifications for riding instructors, running a stable, horse health, grooming, etc.
NVQ levels 1 to 4 in horse care, management, racehorse care, farriery, etc. These teach work-based skills and you can study them whilst working.
First and National Diplomas/Certificates in horse care, horse management, etc. These are usually studied full-time and provide work experience.
GNVQs and AVCEs in Business, Land and Environment, etc. Work-related college courses can be studied full- or part-time
Modern Apprenticeships allow you to work for an employer and study at college for an NVQ.
Higher National Certificate and Diplomas (HNCs and HNDs) in a range of related subjects. HNCs are usually part-time, HNDs full-time. Suitable if you want to go into management or research.
Degrees in a range of related subjects. Suitable if you want to go into management or research.

Many organisations also provide training:

British Horse Society – courses include: riding instructor qualifications; working horse qualifications; equestrian tourism; horse owner’s certificate; equine first aid; child protection; sports coaching degree; stable manager’s qualifications; etc. For information on their qualifications and careers their website www.bhs.org.uk

Lantra – the lead training organisation for land-based industries www.lantra.co.uk. They have a careers section and a register of training providers on their website. Below are some Lantra qualifications:

National Occupational Standards Title	NVQ/SVQ Qualification Structure Titles
Animal Care	Animal Care Levels 1, 2 and 3 Animal Care (Boarding) Levels 2 and 3 Animal Care (Animal Welfare) Levels 2 and 3 Animal Care (Breeding) Levels 2 and 3 Animal Care (Animal Training) Levels 2 and 3 Animal Care (Open Farm) Levels 2 and 3
Animal Technology	Animal Technology Levels 2 and 3
Equine	Horse Care Level 1 and 2 Horse Care and Management Level 2 Racehorse Care Level 2 Racehorse Care and Management Level 3
Farriery	Farriery Level 3
Veterinary Nursing	Veterinary Nursing Levels 2 and 3

Many trade associations run short courses

For more information on agriculture careers, use our Careers Information web pages at
http://www.wiltscoll.ac.uk/careers/