Employer Profiles

Tiptree Equestrian Centre

How many apprenticeships do you have?
Five Level 2 apprentices from Writtle College

How long have you had apprentices for?
Six years, and each individual can take up to 18 months to complete the apprenticeship.

Please describe your business?
Tiptree Equestrian Centre is a riding school and livery yard. We have up to 30 horses, some of which are livery and some which are owned by us. We also have a very active Pony Club, which is part of the National Pony Club. We give riding lessons to all ages from seven to 76.

We teach accredited BHS courses, including Riding and Road Safety as well as holding competitions and events throughout the year including dressage, clear round jumping, winter show jumping league, mounted games evenings, horse ball and show jumping competitions.

What are the main benefits to an employer of taking on an apprentice?
I am incredibly passionate about horses and about them being treated properly. From an employer’s perspective taking on an apprentice means you can train someone to your own requirements and standards, for example when mucking out and how to care for them properly. It is also good to know that once each student has completed their apprenticeship they will go out into the world of work with excellent standards.

I am a great believer that knowledge is power and that qualifications go to prove that you can do things to a high standard. I see the training of an apprentice as taking a student on as a raw recruit and then sending them out into the world of work as professionals.

Why choose Writtle College to assess?
I have had an association with Writtle College via the 14-16 NVQ (taught at school level) since 2005. Writtle is dedicated to training people to a high standard and with the College’s on-going help we have been able to get our apprentices to a more than satisfactory level.

I have great respect for the work-based learning team at Writtle College, and intend to work alongside them for many years to come.

Michelle Carter
Properitor