pam.1
New User
Hi, I have been accepted for a 2 year college course but also been offered an apprenticeship. Which is best! Thanks
Equine Apprenticeship versus 2 year Equine College Course
- Thread starter pam.1
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Shay
Well-Known Member
Depends on what you want to do eventually! Which course and what apprenticeship would probably be useful information. And where you want it to lead to? Do you have any qualifications currently?
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I would also say it depends on who the apprenticeship is with.
If it is with a "name" or at a place where you will actually get to ride real horses (young/ competition horses as opposed to teaching horses) with good tuition that would be preferable to me.
If it is with a "name" or at a place where you will actually get to ride real horses (young/ competition horses as opposed to teaching horses) with good tuition that would be preferable to me.
Exploding Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
As above, you still need plenty of experience and you won't really get anything "out of the ordinary" at college, but you have to be careful if you decide to go to a yard, I would not consider an ordinary RS.
Its a difficult choice.
Its a difficult choice.
pam.1
New User
Thanks for all the above. Does anyone know if potential employers in generaL prefer college qualifications over apprenticeship-based experience? Thank you
Exploding Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
Some people are very anti college, esp those with dubious reputations, but it depends on how you feel and what your ambitions are. If you are a keen competitor and are a really goood rider already, then a competition yard with lessons would suit, as you are only young once and need to compete and make your mark when young.
If you see this as a longer term career and like a bit of study [not too difficult], then you may need the academic stuff and the basic training of a college.
Either way, try to do your best and don't try to cut any corners, employers are looking for hard working, responsible young people.
You are probably best to get plenty of practical experience by working at weekends and holidays for local people, this way you get through the mucking out and horse handling bit. It is important that you develop communication skills, and part of that is being confident of your abilities.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I think it depends on what "employers " you are aiming at. "Employers" is just such a wide term.
I would say an equine degree course would keep your options the widest, including non equine employers, but you say you were only looking at a 2 year course, so it was not a degree course.
Most commercial yards would like someone who is good at the job IMO, and you can do BHS qualifications with no course at all if you are good enough.
So, if I were set on an equine career then I would choose 1. Equine degree course for widest options including non horse. or 2. Apprenticeship at good yard. For that I would choose competition or dealer, where I would ride challenging horses, and take BHS.
pam.1
New User
Thank you Red, it sounds really good advice and will help me to decide one way or the other! Thank you also to Shay and Bonkers for your input.
pam.1
New User
Thanks Bonkers, I will bear all that in mind. Thanks for you advice
maree t
Well-Known Member
What did you decide on in the end ?
My daughter has just been offered an apprenticeship , very good yard with lots of opportunities being offered . She is supposed to sign up for 6th form on Friday !!
What do you expect from being an apprentice ?? how much training , how many hours ??
nothing like a last minute decision !!!!!!
My daughter has just been offered an apprenticeship , very good yard with lots of opportunities being offered . She is supposed to sign up for 6th form on Friday !!
What do you expect from being an apprentice ?? how much training , how many hours ??
nothing like a last minute decision !!!!!!
wkiwi
Well-Known Member
I think it depends on the individual which is the best choice, and (as stated earlier) what the eventual aim is. Personally, I would snatch at the apprenticeship in a good yard as I don't believe these come up very often (plenty in yards where you just muck out and groom). She can always go back to a college course later. When i was 16 I spent over two years working in yards which was invaluable. I then did various other jobs and ended up working in a vet clinic before going to university (to do a vet degree) 5-6 years after I left school.
I have also taught vet nurse, vet, and equine students and (to generalise) students with any sort of working-life experience tend to be a lot more focussed on their studies than those coming straight through the school system.
However, it depends on her eventual aim and i would not put someone off going to college if that was what they wanted or needed for their career.
Re what to expect - this also varies enormously. When i did it (decades ago) it was about a 50 hour week (more if the hunters came back late) in exchange for lessons, lodgings and pocket money. We worked hard but got a lot of riding (minimum 3 hours per day) plus theory lessons) and had a lot of fun. However, now there are a lot more regulations so the hours and pay are regulated (look up apprenticeships under the government website) and usually involve going to college 1-2 days a week. Someone doing an apprenticeship may have more info on this. Just make sure that the conditions are in writing, and that your daughter isn't too pedantic about the hours (as horses are always unpredictable and there will always be occasions where someone needs to stay late).
Hope this helps - pm me if you have any Q's