This programme is designed to help you build skilled, confident coaches within your own workplace, with minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations. Your staff remain fully employed, learning on the job and immediately applying their new skills – delivering real, measurable benefits to your yard from the outset.
One of the key advantages is the cost-effectiveness. Apprenticeships are supported through government funding, with incentives of up to £1,000 available for eligible employers. This makes it one of the most affordable and impactful ways to invest in your team.
Unlike short courses, the apprenticeship provides structured development over time, allowing staff to embed their coaching skills, grow in confidence, and contribute more effectively. This leads to higher standards of coaching, improved staff retention, and a stronger, more capable workforce.
BENEFITS
- Improved coaching quality and consistency across your team
- Increased staff motivation, engagement, and retention
- Minimal disruption, as training is delivered alongside normal duties
- A clear, recognised progression pathway for your employees
- Ongoing expert support from NHC throughout the programme
The National Horseracing College is known for delivering training that meets industry needs and works closely with employers to tailor programmes to the needs of both the business and the individual.
WHO’S IT FOR
- Those employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Receive around 6 hours per week of workplace training from experienced staff
- Those currently coaching, or ready to begin coaching small groups as part of their role
- Those employed in England
- Hold math and English GCSE grades A to C or level 2 Functional skills if under 19 years old.
- Those aged 16 to 21 years old (older candidates are accepted, but there is a small co-investment charge of £300)
COURSE CONTENT
- The apprenticeship will be delivered specifically within an equestrian environment and includes:
- Structured planning and delivery of progressive coaching sessions
- Coaching of riders across varying abilities
- Risk assessment and health and safety management in practical settings
- Safeguarding and duty of care responsibilities
- Inclusive coaching practices
- Professional standards and reflective practice
- Ongoing assessment in a live coaching environment
The programme is delivered by qualified and experienced staff and culminates in an assessment by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (IEPA), ensuring external quality assurance and objective evaluation of competence.
As an employer-designed standard, the apprenticeship has been developed to meet industry needs and to ensure coaches are work-ready, accountable, and capable of operating independently within a professional setting. The combination of sustained supervised practice, formal training, and independent assessment ensures that competence is demonstrated over time rather than through a single assessment event.
The course starts with a 4-day in-person event at the National Horseracing College in Doncaster on Monday 8th June to Thursday 11th June 2026, and this is the only required attendance outside of the workplace.
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your existing team, strengthen your coaching provision, and invest in your business’s future.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how this apprenticeship could work for you. Please get in touch to find out more or to enrol a member of your team.
The application form, should you wish to apply on behalf of a member of your staff, is available online.
For more information, please contact Emma Cassidy, Work Based Learning Manager, via email e.cassidy@thenhc.co.uk
