Equine apprentices were among the ‘stars’ to take top honours at an awards ceremony held at Reaseheath College in Cheshire.
The equine apprentices, who typically work on livery and training yards or riding schools across the region, were among 150 land-based apprentices to celebrate gaining their qualifications at the specialist and technical college in the past year.
The title of Best Equine Apprentice went to Kelsie Heafey, a trainee instructor at Oakhanger Riding and Pony Club Centre, a BHS approved school and training centre near Crewe.
In addition to completing her Reaseheath apprenticeship, Kelsie, 19, has made the most of in-house training at Oakhanger and has successfully achieved her BHS Stage 1 and her BHS Stage 2 Care. She aims to complete her full BHS Stage 2 qualification in 2019.
Kelsie was selected for her award by Reaseheath assessors due to her attention to detail, outstanding customer service, passion and determination.
Her employer, Nathalie Ecclestone BHSI said: “We are very proud of the way Kelsie has approached her apprenticeship and thrilled that she was recognised with this award. She is a very methodical and efficient person who is able to plan, prepare and learn.
“She has become a very valuable member of our team due to her hardworking and positive attitude and has quickly progressed to taking on responsibilities. We are confident that she will continue to have a very successful equine career with us and it has been a privilege to help her with her journey.”
Kelsie’s award was sponsored by Quintessential Quarters, Staffordshire, which is listed in the top six best kennel or cattery businesses in the UK.
Others who successfully completed their Level 2 Apprenticeship in Horse Care were Chloe Cameron from Village Riding School, Warrington, and Fiona MacPherson, who works for Lymm Riding School.
Reaseheath is one of the country’s leading apprentice trainers and also provides a valuable recruitment service for employers. Together with Dart Training in Derbyshire, the college currently trains over 1000 apprentices in land based industries and is working in partnership with hundreds of large, medium and small employers. An impressive 97% of apprentices achieve their qualification and continue into permanent roles.
The apprentices, who are in paid employment, receive training at college and gain practical skills in the workplace. Training programmes can start at any time of the year.
Click here for further details of apprenticeships and how we can help employers.
