A step by step guide to becoming an Apprentice Groom
The Grooms List team have put together a simple step-by-step guide to the process of becoming an Apprentice Groom, from choosing an appropriate course to finding ongoing employment once you are a qualified Equine Groom.
Frequently Asked Questions
The course options, often referred to as ‘pathways’, are simple:
- Breeding
- Driving
- Racing
- Riding
- Non-riding
- Sporting Excellence Study Programmes
You can read more about the course options you can choose from here.
Course levels are available for all degrees of experience with horses, starting with a “traineeship” for complete beginners, right through to Senior Groom level for more experienced equestrians. Read more about the course levels here.
For job seekers, finding and starting an Equine Apprenticeship course is fairly straightforward. Search Equine Apprenticeship vacancies on The Grooms List and start applying for suitable opportunites to make it happen. An Apprenticeship is an employment status, so the steps between applying for and starting an Equine Apprenticeship are much the same as when applying for a regular job. Read more about these steps here.
Depending on the course, equine apprenticeships usually last 12-18 months.
1. You may need to attend college whilst working for your employer. This can vary from one or two days every 4-6 weeks to 1 in every 5 working days – speak to prospective employers and Training Providers about this. You must be paid for your hours at college as well as your working hours. If the Apprenticeship course is supported by one of the workplace training providers all your training will be delivered within the workplace and you will not have to travel offsite to receive this part of your training.
2. The employer must offer you adequate work-based opportunities to learn, practice and gain experience at everything needed to achieve their qualifications. This must amount to at least 20% of the time you spend at work (a minimum of 8 hours dedicated training each week).
No charges will be passed on to you or your parents in return for training. The majority of Equine Apprenticeships are fully funded by the Government, and any cost incurred by an employer cannot be charged to you.
The minimum hourly wage an Apprentice Groom must receive varies depending on their age and the stage you are at in your apprenticeship course.
- Aged 16-17 years an apprentice is paid £5.28 per hour (April 2023-March 2024)
- Aged 19 and over an apprentice in the first year of an apprenticeship can be paid at least £5.28 per hour
- Aged 19 and over an apprentice in the second year of an apprenticeship must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age.
An Apprentice Groom can be paid a higher hourly rate, but this is at the discretion of the individual employer.
No. “An apprentice” is a legal employment status and the apprenticeship course must be supported by a Training Provider, and all employment laws apply to apprentices just the same as any other more experienced/established groom. Every person a yard employs must be paid an hourly rate, at least the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices or for their age. There are strict guidelines on what can be deducted from the National Minimum Wage, which you can read more about here.
As an Apprentice is an official employed status the same laws apply as with any other job. The exception is that an Apprentice’s training must be included within the maximum hours worked, including time spent at college. The Working Time Directive sets out clear guidelines on how many hours an employee works:
- Workers aged under 18 can’t work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, and must have 2 consecutive days off work.
- Workers aged 18 and over can’t work more than 48 hours a week on average – normally averaged over 17 weeks, and do not require consecutive days off work.
There are plenty of job vacancies available that allow employees to take their own horse with them to the job. Many employers will accommodate a horse free of charge, others will charge a livery fee – discuss this with a potential employer when searching for Apprentice Groom Vacancies, and ensure the financial aspects are detailed in your Written Statement of Employment Particulars (employment contract).
Yes. Many Equine Apprentice vacancies are “live in” jobs. However, if you are under 18 years of age the employer must seek your parent’s/guardian’s written consent for you to live away from home.
Yes, but there are no guarantees that individual vacancies will still be open by the time you’re available to start the job. Stay in touch with any employers you’re in conversation with, and contact us with any queries and for guidance throughout your job seeking process.
Yes. Because an Apprentice is an official employment status, all employment laws apply, including the requirement to be issued a Written Statement of Employment Particulars (the “employment contract”); the Principle Statement no later than the first day of employment and the Wider Written Statement within two months of you starting work.
No. An Apprentice is an official employment status and all employment laws are applicable to the job role.
No. Either employee or employer can give notice in the normal way for any employment situation. Your apprenticeship can be transferred to a different employer and the employer can replace you with a new employee. However, you must have valid reasons for terminating an Apprenticeship and not simply decide that you no longer wish to continue with it. Speak to us for more information on this.
Who are we and why use us to find an Apprenticeship?
The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment is invested in the Grooms of the Future via Apprenticeships.
- We regularly work with Apprenticeship providers who deliver world-class Apprenticeship programmes via a highly experienced team of trainers/coaches who can deliver a comprehensive range of equine apprenticeships for all ages and levels of experience.
- With established relationships with employers and job seekers alike, we are the go-to recruitment advisers in both the UK and overseas for equine job seekers.
- We offer one-to-one, impartial, no-obligation careers and recruitment advice to job seekers throughout their equine career, from finding their very first job, building their CV, making the right moves at the right time.
Further reading
Why The Grooms List is THE GO-TO place for Equine Apprenticeships
It’s National Apprenticeship Week – a perfect time for grooms to explore the possibilities of gaining nationally recognised qualifications without having to take time out from work, and employers to consider expanding their team by taking on an apprentice groom! Whether you’re an employer or a learner/would be apprentice The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment is THE GO-TO place to go for Equine Apprenticeships! Everything both employers and learners need is here, in one place, from choosing a Training Provider to finding your next groom or job and everything in between!
Equine Apprenticeship Myths – BUSTED!
The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd is delighted to publish this article by equine apprenticeship expert Linda Hudson, busting some common myths that often stop employers, would-be apprentices, and even parents from considering an equine apprenticeship.
5 reasons why the equine industry needs Apprentice Grooms!
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 10th February – 16th February 2025 – a perfect time for grooms to explore the possibilities of gaining nationally recognised qualifications without having to take time out from work, and employers to consider expanding their team by taking on an apprentice groom! Why is this so important to the equine industry? Because the equine industry NEEDS you to! Before dismissing the idea of becoming or employing an apprentice, read our 5 reasons why the equine industry needs Apprentice Grooms…
Equine Jobs with Accommodation
The provision of accommodation with an equine job can be a grey area for both employers and employees, with so many varying arrangements from yard to yard and job role to job role. Get it wrong and at the very least an employer struggles to find and keep staff, the employee loses out on their salary entitlement and, worst case scenario, the employer and employee find themselves in very hot water. Here we attempt to put a complex matter into as simple terms as possible, regarding the provision of accommodation with a job, based on situations regularly seen within the equine industry.
Wages in the Equine Industry
In April every year, at the end of one Tax Year and the start of the next, the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage increases. This is important for everyone in the equine industry – employers and employees alike. Equestrianism is a notoriously low-pay industry in terms of hourly salary, and salaries are frequently, if not always, topped up with extras, bonuses and tidbits. But in reality, how lawful are we in doing this without the advice and guidance of accountants and tax specialists? And what are the consequences of getting it wrong? The UK Government has strict laws regarding the minimum sum of money any individual can receive in return for work done and it can be confusing at least, a minefield at worst, when remunerating staff not just fairly, but legally too. In this article, we take a timely look, and research answers to basic questions for both employers and employees regarding the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage and to highlight common misconceptions within the equine industry regarding wages, remuneration packages and the law.
A Job Seekers Guide to Reference Checks
When applying for a new job it’s easy to assume that reference checks are the responsibility of the prospective employer, or the recruitment agency if applicable. But you want that job, right? Then help to secure it for yourself by being savvy when it comes to employment references and associated checks! Reference checks are not incidental to an employer selecting YOU as their new recruit, they are critical! Read on to find out how neglecting employment references can kill any chance of you getting a new job.
Writing an Equine CV – What employers are looking for
Writing an equine CV doesn’t have to be daunting, long-winded or time-consuming, and it will make a HUGE difference to your job hunt. Find out more about the benefits of making a CV and documenting your work history as you go. The Grooms List even offers you FREE OF CHARGE a template to drop all this information into!
15 Christmas Gift Ideas for Horse Lovers
The run-up to Christmas should be a time of excitement and anticipation. Bonus boxes of chocolates in the tack room and singing along to cheesy Christmas carols on the yard. The problems arise when you find yourself stuck for Christmas gift ideas. How to find something that is the right mix of thoughtful, useful, appealing to that person and within budget. Well never fear, we are here to help. We have pulled together a list of our 15 favourite gift ideas specifically for people working in the equine industry, suitable for your employer, employee or college (or even yourself!).
New Years Resolutions for Equestrian Jobseekers
New Year seems like a natural time to press the “refresh” button on our personal and professional lives, or even just a chance to take stock and stay as and where we are, but in a better way. We have all heard the cliché (which is a cliché for good reason), “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”. I read with interest that about 70% of us make New Year’s resolutions, but less than 8% will be kept beyond February/March! It’s not surprising to learn that the top resolutions will include things like losing weight, quitting smoking, managing debt etc. but, also importantly, resolutions focussing on careers and job choices are right up there too.
New Year, New Career!
Traditionally, New Year is THE key time to commit to making positive changes in your life! Your New Years Resolution might be to get a better-paid job, achieve a better work-life balance, acquire new skills, or generally get more job satisfaction. Looking at the New Year ahead, a blank canvas ready for you to make those changes, what can you do to achieve those career goals?
Mental Health in the Equine Industry
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity that campaigns for good mental health for all. As you may have noticed (!) this week (14th-20th May) is Mental Health Awareness Week so naturally, we turn our attention to the matter of mental health in the equine industry. Taking the opportunity to reinforce our partnership with the BGA we are happy to support their initiatives where we can and as ever, to advise on issues which can arise within the yard environment, relating this directly to the employer : groom dynamic with which we are so familiar…
Equine career planning in 4 simple steps
Most young people entering the equine industry as a career pathway dream of grooming at the Olympia Horse Show or exercise riding international sport horses or something similar, but due to lack of any real structured planning and implementation of said plan, many give up on their dreams or leave on the reality sooner or later. Equine career planning is the key to achieving dreams, trust us! What gets written down, reviewed and even measured, gets done! Here’s how it couldn’t be simpler in 4 simple steps…
Making and accepting a job offer – the do’s and don’ts!
Sometimes, making and accepting a job offer can be somewhat rushed and not treated with the formality it really does require. Whilst it’s a huge relief to have reached this stage, it is by no means the end of the process! There is still time for things to unravel and go wrong, and sometimes badly wrong, which it’s why it’s so important for both employers and job seekers to approach this stage with care and to put aside a little quality time to get it spot-on! Read our guidance on making and accepting a formal job offer…
Employment contracts in the equine industry
There is often much confusion about employment contracts in the equine industry, and it’s very easy for both employers and grooms to make mistakes that, in the worst case scenario, can be devastating further on in time. Read our simple guide and make sure you’re in the know and on the right side of the law when it comes to employment contracts.
Salaries in the Horse Racing Industry
Not a lot of people realise that salaries in the horse racing industry are different to those of any other equine sector. Certain Minimum Wage and employment standards are agreed between the National Trainers Federation and the National Association of Racing Staff (Also known as “NARS”), and these set the horse racing industry apart from any other equine industry sector. Read on to find out more about working in the horse racing industry.
What happens when a job offer is withdrawn?
Offering and accepting a job offer can be a time of mixed emotions – happiness, relief, anxiety, and even confusion in some circumstances. But occasionally things go wrong when they’ve barely begun and the job offer is withdrawn. Where do employers and job seekers stand when a job offer/acceptance is withdrawn?
The “Written Statement of Employment Particulars” explained
A “Written Statement of Employment Particulars” is the part of an employment contract that has to be given in writing within two months of an employee starting work, and both employers and employees need to know what it must contain and what it can contain. Make sure you know where you stand!
How to balance owning AND working with horses!
Incredibly, there are a remarkable number of admirable people who find working with horses all day, every day, isn’t quite enough. It is a truly a measure of a person’s dedication to an animal that, on top of what is widely considered a very demanding job, so many Grooms still choose to have their own horse(s) too. What does it take to successfully balance owning AND working with horses? How do Grooms do it?
The Ultimate Equestrian Apprentice Startup Kit
My name is Olivia Alstad. I’m a Canadian rider who moved to the UK to train and learn more about the sport of eventing. With no plan or education on the apprenticeship scheme, I made all the rookie errors! I’ve written an article to help you in your pursuit of a suitable apprenticeship, avoiding all the major mistakes that I made!
5 reasons why Apprentice Grooms are always #winning
You may not realise it, but Apprentice Grooms are always winning! Whether you’re a school-leaver looking to forge a successful career in the equine industry or an established groom who would like formal recognition of your abilities with qualifications, an equine apprenticeship will be an almost surefire way of achieving your goals…
