Groom/Yard Assistant Apprentice

Application Deadline: 21 June 2026

Department: Animal Science and Equine

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Pibwrlwyd Campus

Reporting To: Head Groom & Head of Curriculum

Compensation: £13,669 / year

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine stable duties: mucking out, grooming and exercising fit horses ridden and on the lunge, turning out and catch.  Exercising horses that cannot be ridden by students
• Work alongside the grooms in exercising horses and liaising with Equine Groups and individuals hiring the riding arenas
• Maintain the horses, the yard, riding arenas, surrounding areas, fields and paddocks, equipment, horses’ tack and clothing tidy and in good working order to BHS standards and appropriate for a BHS Examination Centre. Paying particular attention to security including the closing of gates at the ends of shifts etc. reporting of any faults or issues as they arise.  Contacting the designated person by telephone at the end of the shift. Carry out routine checks of equipment, tools, machinery, complete checklists as required by Faculty management
• Maintain a standard of dress and wear PPE appropriate to a BHS Examination Centre, setting a good example as a positive role model
• Support other yard staff with  routine treatment of horses when you are on duty e.g. farriery, worming, vaccination, clipping, liaising closely with the Yard Coordinator. Ensure completion of appropriate records clearly communicate to other grooms any treatment carried out using the agreed systems           
• Monitor use of feed, bedding and other consumables ensuring that the necessary paperwork is fully completed, liaising directly with the Yard Coordinator
• Ensure that records and charts are completed and information is accurate and in sufficient detail
• Liaise with academic staff to supervise students including those learners with additional        needs and work based learners with the supervision of academic staff or full time groom to    perform routine stable duties. Be responsible for learners and  health and safety and be          aware of the needs and level of competency of all learners
• Liaise with the other grooms and the Yard Coordinator regarding events occurring during your period on duty ensuring that all relevant information is logged in the diary
• Liaise with the other permanent grooms during the weekly handover period to agree on allocation of tasks e.g. horses coming in or leaving, specific jobs or activities which will require attention, and that the other grooms are fully informed of incidents e.g. horse injuries and incidents      
• Monitor the appropriate use of the two arenas when hired out to various Equine Community groups. Ensure that the arena surfaces are prepared ready for use by those hiring the arenas and in a suitable condition for college use after the hiring. Ensure there is adequate equipment available for the community group to access to clean up throughout the day. Ensure college equipment on hire is made available and checked after use.  Report any losses or damage or misuse to the Stables Manager. 

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• An appropriate level of physical fitness
• Good communicator with diplomacy and tact
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Ability to work harmoniously with colleagues
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Commitment to learning and improving personal skills
• British Horse Society Gold Membership
• Willingness to undertake First Aid at Work Training
• Willingness to drive an ATV 

• Recent and relevant industrial experience
• Current driving licence and use of a car

• Welsh Oracy (Listening/Speaking) - Level 0/1 Desirable
• Welsh Literacy (Writing/Reading) - Level 0/1 Desirable

Job Benefits

• Extremely generous pension scheme with employer contributions of 20%.
• Award-winning professional learning and development programme.  
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• Online and instore retail discounts