Employing a BHS instructor for expanding riding school? (NZ)

[tweed]

Hi all, not sure of the best place to ask this but thought I would try here.

I run a small-but-steadily-expanding riding school. I'm already at the point where I can foresee needing another coach as I simply can't fit all the lessons requested into the hours of the day. I'm also thinking forward to the point where we have children (who knows when? 2 years? Probably 5 years max) and will need to employ a substitute coach (and probably two coaches or more at that point). I would like to keep growing the business and there is definitely scope in the local market to do so.

Locally (I am in provincial New Zealand) there is not a large pool of coaches, particularly qualified and somewhat experienced ones, to potentially employ. We do have good 'competition' coaches, but they don't have school ponies and don't really take beginners. Quality, qualified and safe coaching is a draw-card for our school and it is really important that this is maintained, which is why I'm thinking hard about how to find a suitable coach.

I have always had in mind the idea of getting a BHS graduate (BHSAI or BHSII) and I thought the chance to travel might be a drawcard for that person.

If you are a BHS graduate, or know one, is that a situation that might interest you/them? Why/why not?

What are fair/typical wages for this kind of work?

I didn't come up through the riding school system, and my training is through Pony Club and the national equestrian body, so I am trying to feel out the industry norms/expectations/best practice for this. Any advice, suggestions or comments gratefully accepted .

 

[maccachic]

Yard and Groom would be a good advertising medium

 

[Mooseontheloose]

Horse and Hound?

 

[tweed]

They would be good places to look, thank you. But rather than advertising yet, I am trying to investigate the ins and outs, and how viable it is. Is this such a standard thing that there's not much to say about it?

 

[Circe]

What would the visa requirements be?
I don't know about NZ, but here in Australia, you would need to be considered a viable enough business to sponser an employee, or can UK citizens work in NZ ?
Kx

ETA, I'm assuming you are wanting someone longer term, rather than a working holiday arrangement?

 

[Midlifecrisis]

In my recent (last ten years) experience riding schools here are only employing freelance instructors to provide lessons - the instructors are self employed and therefore their wages don't form part of overheads which the riding school likes and so must be viable - on the downside for instructor they don't have any commitment to the establishment or security of work and it can be frustrating for the clients as teachers can change without notice. I think if I were employing freelance instructors I would have an incentive package for them...a sort of built in bonus system so that a good instructor providing good lessons and feedback and repeat business from clients got rewarded..then the instructor would be more likely to opt to teach at my establishment than go somewhere else. Ive rambled a bit - hope the gist made sense - its viable and done well it could be win win for riding school and instructor.

 

[Tnavas]

Hi Tweed - a fellow BHS qualified coach here, living in New Zealand - I suggest an advert in Horse & Pony, possibly Showring, notice boards at saddlery stores and BHS, if the coach has kept up their registration they will have a list of coaches.

Contact your local Pony Club, especially any National Coaches as they often know the BHS people.

Like you I had a riding school and only employed BHS qualified instructors as they were the only ones that were capable of actually TEACHING a group of riders.

Look also for those that have worked through the C+ level Pony Club ECTP program - this is the NZ Pony CLub web site http://www.nzpca.org/ Look under Education and Development.

One thing about NZ is that with Equestrian qualifications its reasonably easy to get a work permit.

pm me if you would like more information

midlife crisis - one of the best incentives I gave my staff were good hourly rates of pay - mine were receiving $15 an hour 20 years ago - that is more than the current minimum wage.

They were employed properly, their tax deducted and holiday pay given. My regular staff also received a lesson weekly from a top level coach. We worked sensible hours - the coaches were not expected to get ponies ready, they taught 5 hours Saturday, 3 hours Sunday and maybe 2 or 3 hours, 3 or 4 times a week.

I had the same coaches for almost nine years

 

[tweed]

I'm assuming you are wanting someone longer term, rather than a working holiday arrangement?

Probably, but I haven't ruled anything out if just the right person came along.

In my recent (last ten years) experience riding schools here are only employing freelance instructors to provide lessons - the instructors are self employed and therefore their wages don't form part of overheads which the riding school likes ...

But wouldn't that also cost them more than an hourly employee? At least in my experience, private contracting work pays about twice as much as a wage for the equivalent work. But the horse industry isn't known for following standard business practices I suppose!

... on the downside for instructor they don't have any commitment to the establishment or security of work and it can be frustrating for the clients as teachers can change without notice. I think if I were employing freelance instructors I would have an incentive package for them...a sort of built in bonus system so that a good instructor providing good lessons and feedback and repeat business from clients got rewarded..then the instructor would be more likely to opt to teach at my establishment than go somewhere else.

I just don't think we have enough freelance coaches locally for this to work. I can think of one or two I could get on occasion (at reasonable expense), but none that fit the bill as trained coaches who can run great group lessons and steadily progress a rider's education along proper lines. But a good idea for a different situation I'm sure.

Hi Tweed - a fellow BHS qualified coach here, living in New Zealand - I suggest an advert in Horse & Pony, possibly Showring, notice boards at saddlery stores and BHS, if the coach has kept up their registration they will have a list of coaches.

That is a good idea - I hadn't really considered that there are a number of BHS coaches already in NZ. I am quite involved with the local PCs so have that covered, but hadn't thought to ask the NATs.

midlife crisis - one of the best incentives I gave my staff were good hourly rates of pay - mine were receiving $15 an hour 20 years ago - that is more than the current minimum wage.

They were employed properly, their tax deducted and holiday pay given. My regular staff also received a lesson weekly from a top level coach. We worked sensible hours - the coaches were not expected to get ponies ready, they taught 5 hours Saturday, 3 hours Sunday and maybe 2 or 3 hours, 3 or 4 times a week.

I had the same coaches for almost nine years

Sounds like you had a good system! The reserve bank's inflation calculator tells me that $15/hr 20 years ago is worth $28/hour today, wow. But I do think I could swing that kind of pay, and it is skilled work worth a good wage. Will PM .