Scoring a Top Apprenticeship
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By Susan Winslow
Those of us who have served in the role of apprentice know you can depend on one thing: you’re going to work hard and learn a lot. As an apprentice, young horsemen have the chance to get a foot in the door in a competitive industry while learning from seasoned professionals. The hours are long, the work is frequently of the grunt variety, and compensation isn’t always lucrative, but the knowledge and experience gained as an apprentice are invaluable in the long run.
Apprentice programs fill an employment need in the industry, because employers can find dedicated help willing to trade long hours and hard work for the chance to learn on the job. In Kentucky, the equine industry and Chamber of Commerce responded to that need by developing the Kentucky Equine Education Project and the Recognized Apprentice Program. This collaboration between educational facilities and employers resulted in a program developed to bring together potential workers and employers needing a qualified workforce.
A reference from a big-name trainer can open doors and set apart an up-and-coming trainer from the rest of the pack. Lessons learned as an apprentice can also have far-reaching effects long into a successful career. The old axiom, “there’s no substitute for experience,” rings more true in the equine industry than in almost any other. While classroom learning has its value, there is nothing that anchors a lesson more securely in the memory banks than hands-on experience with a late night colic, foaling out a mare, watching a seasoned pro handle a difficult horse, or simply accepting the fact that life with horses is one long master class in humility.
While monetary compensation may be on the lower end, earn-to-learn opportunities frequently offer housing and, more importantly, the opportunity to learn from experts with access to top tier horses. But, come prepared to work, because apprenticeships are not for slackers or the faint of heart. The most successful coaches and trainers will attest to the fact that a career with horses is a lifestyle, not just a job. Serving an apprenticeship can help young horsemen decide if they have the mettle to forge a career in the industry. The Equine Chronicle checked in with some of the leading trainers in the country to get the inside scoop about apprenticeships, and they were generous enough to share their insights.
