Engineering - Farriery- Apprenticeship
Interested in working with horses and want a job where you’re hands-on and outdoors? The farriery apprenticeship could be for you.
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.
Entry Requirements
The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.
The minimum educational requirements are:
1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course
or
3. Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable
It should be noted that these are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential: Metalwork, Physics, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, Biology and Science.
Careers / Further progression
Opportunities on Qualification
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.
Where apprentices and craftspersons have the necessary ability, initiative and basic qualifications, opportunities are available for advancement. These include advanced technology courses and management courses which are available in Institutes of Technology, Schools of Management and Professional Institutes.
Many apprentices use their apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others
Further information
To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.
To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page at https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.
Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.
On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified farrier, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Farriery.
You may go on to be self-employed in the equestrian industry visiting farms, racing yards and horse breeders making and fitting horseshoes or use the qualification to continue learning in advanced technology and management courses.
You may also use your apprenticeship qualification as a platform to launch careers such as managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others.
What is Farriery?
The craft of Farriery covers the making and fitting of horseshoes to prepared feet, with an understanding of different styles of shoeing and trimming required for various types of work, and both hot and cold shoeing techniques. Corrective foot trimming measures, remedial shoemaking and fitting, the use of alternative materials and the modification and fitting of manufactured shoes are also central to Farriery.
Farriery requires knowledge of the care and management of horses including most relevant local breeds of horses and an in-depth knowledge of horsemanship, equine anatomy, physiology, conformation and movement and foot balance are essential. This also requires recognition of lameness and injuries to the equine foot and leg as well as common ailments and diseases and ways of dealing with them in Farriery.
Welding operations to assist in the production and modification of tools and the forging of tools and shoes to particular requirements are vital skills. The planning and management of all matters relating to the craft and liaison with owners and their representatives, veterinarians and fellow Farriers are also important aspects of the craft.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As a Farrier you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands. An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail and an eye for the aesthetic.
The Farrier must have the ability to:
• Plan and organise
• Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Gather information
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness
Aspects of work
Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Using tools and operating machinery
Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
Demonstrate good analytical and troubleshooting skills
Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
Being accurate with numbers in counting, measuring and arithmetic
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Keeping up to date with changing technologies
Being physically active
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
Working in a noisy environment
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
Horsemanship
Horse Handling and Management
Equine Anatomy
Forging Skills
Corrective Shoeing and Trimming
Therapeutic Shoeing
Shoemaking
Earning as you learn
Apprenticeship Training Programme
Phase 1: With Employer
Workplace Training and Assessments
Phase 2: The Irish School of Farriery (20 weeks)
Course Content:
Induction and Safety
Forgework
Horsecare and Management
Anatomy and Physiology
Conformation and Movement
Horseshoeing
Arc Welding
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: The Irish School of Farriery (10 weeks)
Course Content:
Forgework
Horseshoeing
Anatomy and Physiology
Conformation and Movement
Foot and Limb Conditions
Working as a Farrier
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 6: The Irish School of Farriery (10 weeks)
Course Content:
Shoemaking
Horseshoeing
Anatomy and Physiology
Foot and Limb Conditions
Working as a Farrier
Phase 7: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft- Farriery.