From Apprentice to Assistant Manager at Walford and North Shropshire College
A Walford and North Shropshire College (WNSC) Equine Apprentice has been appointed as Assistant Yard Manager at the Walford Campus of the College.
Shropshire, United Kingdom, October 30, 2013 --(PR.com)-- 23 year old Kim Bailey from Shropshire first came to the College as a school leaver, in 2007 when she embarked on a Level 2 Horse Care qualification. This taught her the most important aspects of horse care and helped build up her riding confidence. On successful completion of the course she went on to work in a local riding school and with RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association). While she loved her work, she realised she had ambitions to get into the management side of things.
Not wanting to go back into full time learning, she decided on an Apprenticeship which offered her the best of all worlds. She could learn whilst gaining valuable hands-on experience and she could continue to earn.
She returned to WNSC where she found, not only could she complete her Level 2 Apprenticeship, she was fortunate enough to be offered a placement on the Equine Yard.
Kim completed her Level 2 qualification in 2011 but decided to stay with the College in order to complete her Level 3 which involved her taking on extra responsibility, working alone and supervising other students.
As an Apprentice, Kim was eligible to take advantage of the recent Leonardo Mobility, Lifelong Learning Programme. This meant she was able to undertake a two-week, all expenses paid, work-experience placement in Italy.
Kim says, “This was an amazing opportunity. The College prepared me for the visit really well too, providing language lessons and sorting out the placement. The work I did there was very different to anything I’d done in this country, particularly in relation to managing the horses in the hot weather. I feel so much more confident in my own job role now. I would definitely encourage other apprentices to take up a work-based placement through the Programme.”
Shortly after her visit to Italy the position of Assistant Yard Manager at the Walford Campus came up and, encouraged by the Yard Manager, Joe Castree, Kim decided to apply.
Joe says “Kim had always been a reliable and hardworking apprentice, even walking to work in the snow, rather than letting us down. I was only too happy to give her a reference for the position.”
Despite there being quite a lot of competition, Kim got the job. She now combines her Level 3 Apprenticeship, which she expects to complete at Christmas, with a full time job on the College yard, helping with the day to day running and care of the horses.
Kim comments, “Doing an apprenticeship provides invaluable experience in being able to put into practise what is learned on the course. It’s also a great way of making new friends and gaining in confidence.”
For more information about full-time Equine courses, Apprenticeships, and the Leonardo Programme, please visit the College website at www.wnsc.ac.uk
Not wanting to go back into full time learning, she decided on an Apprenticeship which offered her the best of all worlds. She could learn whilst gaining valuable hands-on experience and she could continue to earn.
She returned to WNSC where she found, not only could she complete her Level 2 Apprenticeship, she was fortunate enough to be offered a placement on the Equine Yard.
Kim completed her Level 2 qualification in 2011 but decided to stay with the College in order to complete her Level 3 which involved her taking on extra responsibility, working alone and supervising other students.
As an Apprentice, Kim was eligible to take advantage of the recent Leonardo Mobility, Lifelong Learning Programme. This meant she was able to undertake a two-week, all expenses paid, work-experience placement in Italy.
Kim says, “This was an amazing opportunity. The College prepared me for the visit really well too, providing language lessons and sorting out the placement. The work I did there was very different to anything I’d done in this country, particularly in relation to managing the horses in the hot weather. I feel so much more confident in my own job role now. I would definitely encourage other apprentices to take up a work-based placement through the Programme.”
Shortly after her visit to Italy the position of Assistant Yard Manager at the Walford Campus came up and, encouraged by the Yard Manager, Joe Castree, Kim decided to apply.
Joe says “Kim had always been a reliable and hardworking apprentice, even walking to work in the snow, rather than letting us down. I was only too happy to give her a reference for the position.”
Despite there being quite a lot of competition, Kim got the job. She now combines her Level 3 Apprenticeship, which she expects to complete at Christmas, with a full time job on the College yard, helping with the day to day running and care of the horses.
Kim comments, “Doing an apprenticeship provides invaluable experience in being able to put into practise what is learned on the course. It’s also a great way of making new friends and gaining in confidence.”
For more information about full-time Equine courses, Apprenticeships, and the Leonardo Programme, please visit the College website at www.wnsc.ac.uk
Contact
Walford & North Shropshire College
Lucy Evans
01691 688039
www.wnsc.ac.uk
Lucy Evans
01691 688039
www.wnsc.ac.uk
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