ANIMAL MAGIC: Working with horses at Spixworth’s Redhall Liveries has proved a popular choice of career with Oliver Tischler (left) and Daniel Dolan.

EQUINE CARE

Trio groomed for a great outdoor career

It has not been an easy ride for three male trainees from Norfolk but they all look set to make it to the finish line.

Apprentice Alex Nisbet, and e2e learners Oliver Tischler and Daniel Dolen have completed their programmes at their work placements with support from Broadland Council Training Services (BCTS).

Oliver, 20, and Daniel, 24, have trained with BCTS while they have worked at the Redhall Liveries in Spixworth.

Both began on the e2e programme, training towards their NVQ Level I in Horse Care last year.

“I left school at the age of 15 after being suspended for fighting,” said Daniel, from Spixworth. “For the next four years I didn’t really do a great deal. I had a few different jobs but to be honest I didn’t really want to work.

“Then I went to Yorkshire with my uncle and did some manual labour on a farm and realised that I wanted to be outdoors and so started looking for work in that area.

“I did some part-time work with the horses here and decided I like it. They then asked me if I wanted to do the NVQ Level I in Horse Care.”

Daniel completed the course as well as achieving his key skills in Maths and English Level 1.

He is now transferring to an apprenticeship to work towards his NVQ Level II in Horse Care and has been given a full time position at Redhall.

Oliver, from Woodbastwick, works alongside Daniel at the liveries. He has also recently completed his qualification.

Oliver worked at Ferry Farm Liveries for eight months before moving to Redhall.

“The NVQ is very thorough so you learn everything there is to know,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know the different horses and gaining experience at shows.”

Oliver is now looking forward to continuing to work as a second groom at events and increasing his equine experience at Redhall.

Alex, 24, from Catfield is currently working at the Brookfield Stud, Hainford, which has recently bred a Grade I winner.

“After I left school at the age of 16 I did a catering course which was partly at Easton College and partly at Yarmouth,” he said.

“I completed it but realised I didn’t want a job where you were under so much pressure. I’d always liked animals and had kept poultry before, so decided to do a two-year BTEC National Diploma in Animal Care.”

During the course, Alex did some theory work on horses and realised this was an area he was particularly interested in.

“I did some work experience at Redwings Horse Sanctuary where I worked with the vet. I found it thoroughly interesting and so when I had completed the course I applied for a part-time job at Brookfield.”

At the stud, Alex embarked on an apprenticeship in Horse Care (NVQs Levels I and II).

He gained valuable experience with the upkeep and grooming of horses, progressing to assisting with foaling and attending some of the top studs in the country.

“I have really enjoyed being a stud groom and have recently been taken on full-time here,” he said. “I love working with the horses and it is exciting when they go on to do well in the races.”

Sharon Money, learning and development manager at Broadland Council Training Services, said: “I am very pleased with the achievement of our learners on our equestrian programme.

“Their success reflects not only on their own hard work and determination but also the support, training and encouragement provided by the staff at BCTS and the equine employers.

“This partnership approach is one that the training centre undertakes with all our trainees.”