Expand+How to become an Apprentice

You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.

The employer must be approved to train apprentices.

The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

In cer...

Hide-How to become an Apprentice

You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.

The employer must be approved to train apprentices.

The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.

In certain crafts, apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS.

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.

Expand+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. Cor...

Hide-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 fi tting, 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 modifi cation 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

Expand+Apprenticeship Training Programme

Phase 1: With Employer
Workplace Training and Assessments

Phase 2: The Irish School of Farriery (20 weeks)
Induction and Safety
Forgework
Horsecare and Management
Anatomy and Physiology
Conformation and M...

Hide-Apprenticeship Training Programme

Phase 1: With Employer
Workplace Training and Assessments

Phase 2: The Irish School of Farriery (20 weeks)
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)
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)
Shoemaking
Horseshoeing
Anatomy and Physiology
Foot and Limb Conditions
Working as a Farrier

Phase 7: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments

The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed. On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certifi cate Craft- Farriery.

Expand+Opportunities on Qualification
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualifi ed to work within the recognised trade or profession.

Where apprentices and craftspersons have the necessary ability, initiative and...

Hide-Opportunities on Qualification
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualifi ed to work within the recognised trade or profession.

Where apprentices and craftspersons have the necessary ability, initiative and basic qualifi cations, 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 qualifi cation as a platform to launch careers such as managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others.