Why can't I find a decent groom???

[fatpiggy]

Where in Lancs are you OP? I want to get back into grooming, have lots of experience and can give excellent refs however the reason I got out of it was due to low wages, long hours, doin overtime with no additional pay or even a thank you, working straight through with no breaks or lunch etc. If the conditions are right you will definitely find someone

Ha - sounds like my job!!

To be honest though, if the majority of the tasks are pretty unskilled (shovelling the brown stuff, cleaning tack) why should people expect to be on £20K+ per year. I started work on £5K with O levels, A levels and a BSc.

 

[staceyn]

Its a shame my health is bad as i am in lancashire and i would jump at the chance !! i have worked mainly with youngstock but still im the same but with loaners i keep trying to find someone to help with my horses they seem to be thick as pies! how someone cant muck out i do not know! so frustrating! were in lancashire are you? i have a friend who used to help me break in my horses she would prob want it if shes not found something?

 

[Super_Kat]

My friend is having a similar problem finding a groom - except she seems to find someone who sounds ideal, then they disappear off the face of the earth before ever even getting to Italy, leaving her with no-one! Pay is great (about €1000 a month for a 40 hour week), conditions are fab (accom and bills included, nice people to work for, nice horses etc) and is in a lovely part of the world (Tuscany) but despite everyone crying they cant get a decent job with a decent wage etc, here she is offering exactly that but cant get staff!

God, if I didn't have ties in the UK I'd be there like a shot!

 

[ihatework]

I fully understand that conditions are often tough and the money is often rubbish, I have worked in the industry and been the one on the receiving end of it!
I do think though that what I am offering is fair, a 5 day week, flexible with hours, 35-40 hours a week, riding and chance to compete for the right person. I can't really offer training as such at the moment as I am expecting twins soon and I know I won't have the time to train anyone!
But experience in stud work and being around breeding stock isn't essential as I/my husband can train someone in that.
I need someone competant and capable who wants to work and in return can offer good opportunities, good working conditions, fair pay and a long term job. No accomodation unfortunately as we are still building our own house and currently live in a cabin!!

It would be interesting to know how much you are paying when no accomodation is offered. The problem is that people can often only afford to take horse jobs as they get a roof and don't need to spend as much on petrol commuting. I would imagine you are offering £300 ish a week to attract the right candidate?

 

[Kokopelli]

I'm having the opposite problem! Can't find a job anywhere, some people I apply to don't even bother replying back saying 'no.'

Now if I was hugely incompetent I would understand but I've owned horses all my life, passed my PC B test and now training towards my A test. So frustrating especially as I need one asap.

 

[Goldenstar]

It would be interesting to know how much you are paying when no accomodation is offered. The problem is that people can often only afford to take horse jobs as they get a roof and don't need to spend as much on petrol commuting. I would imagine you are offering £300 ish a week to attract the right candidate?

OP's job sounds similar to mine here it's four horses which I mainly work all stable duties hacking flexible hours and I am paying more than three hundred pounds a week.