British Army - Equine Groom - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship
British Army
Recruiting nationally
Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025
Posted on 11 April 2025
Contents
Summary
An opportunity to embark on a full-time career in the British Army, work with horses and perform in front of the Royal Family. Experience the proud traditions of the Royal Artillery or the Royal Armoured Corps. Train on the Ajax armoured vehicle to become a reconnaissance specialist. Enjoy a fun and challenging environment, focusing on combat.
- Wage
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£25,200 a year
- Training course
- Equine groom (level 2)
- Hours
-
Shift and working patterns may vary. Working locations will vary nationally depending on the apprenticeship and working requirements. Days and times to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
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1 year 2 months
- Positions available
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40
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
Imagine being on parade with thousands of people watching. Or riding a horse at a royal event. Join the Royal Artillery (RA) as a Ceremonial Gunner and things like this will be part of your life. In this role, you join the famous King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and become an expert rider. You perform on horseback and fire guns at state occasions. You can also get qualifications and skills as a carriage driver, saddler, farrier or tailor. With a great team around you plus Adventurous Training and sports, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
The Royal Artillery is the heart of the action - everywhere across the battlefield - providing the British Army with its eyes, ears and firepower. Using high-tech surveillance devices and uncrewed aircraft, the Royal Artillery finds the enemy. We then monitor them before striking decisively. We do this by co-ordinated use of our guns, rockets and missiles, the Army’s attack helicopters and other weapons, including fast jets and even the guns of Royal Navy ships. With the chance to ride at ceremonies and get out in the field, you'll have the best of worlds.
Troopers in the Household Cavalry are trained to drive and operate armoured vehicles, gathering information about the enemy and carrying out fast attacks. They also spend time in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, taking part in famous public events on horseback. It's one of the most varied and famous roles in the Army.
The Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) provides the armour capability of the British Army. It combines speed, momentum, firepower and reconnaissance capabilities with armoured fighting vehicles, such as the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and Jackal Fighting Vehicle.
Apprentices will be entering a vocational industry, where they can expect to handle a variety of horses in different working environments. They must adhere to safe working practices, be prepared to work in all weather conditions and often in “out of hours” situations. They will be required to have dedication, commitment and the physical and mental toughness to cope with the rigours of the role. Living on site for part or all of the duration of the apprenticeship may be necessary.
The occupation requires competent individuals who are committed to the safety and welfare of the horses in their care. They will use their theoretical knowledge and understanding, practical experience and empathy to maintain the horses’ physical and psychological well-being within a safe working environment. This is a practical, “hands on” occupation where apprentices will work under supervision individually or as part of a diverse team. The Equine Groom is an integral part in the life of the horse, providing essential day-to-day care. They will be involved with feeding, grooming, cleaning equipment, handling, preparing, exercising the horses and carrying out routine yard duties.
The Equine Groom may also be required to assist with the preparation of, transport to and care for horses at competitions, races, sales, shows and other public appearances. Depending on which sector of the industry the Equine Groom has chosen, appropriate people skills will be essential.
Where you’ll work
Depending on your chosen regiment/corps and age at the time of enlistment, you will undertake Phase 1 training at AFC Harrogate (16-17 year olds), ATR Pirbright, ATR Winchester or ITC Catterick (for adult recruits). ITC Catterick is also where Infantry soldiers complete both Phase 1 and 2. On completion of training, you will be assigned where the Army requires you to be, but wherever that is you will receive 'on the job' training towards the completion of your chosen Apprenticeship.
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
BRITISH ARMY
Your training course
Equine groom (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
Your training plan
Training for the role:
Step 1 - Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do a 40-week military training course at Harrogate. If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.
Step 2 - You head to Bovington, Dorset for 20 weeks of specialist training, focusing on communications, fighting from vehicles and an introduction to the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle. You will complete your driving licence (if you don't already have it). You will then move to Windsor to begin your riding course to prepare you for all aspects of becoming a mounted ceremonial soldier on duty in London. After 18-24 months of ceremonial duty, you will be posted to the Household Cavalry Regiment, Bulford, to train on the AJAX armoured fighting vehicle and obtain your tracked vehicle licence.
Qualifications you could get after training:
- Car Licence (Cat B + E)
- Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship: Animal Care and Welfare Assistant
- HGV licence (Cat C + H) (after 18+ months)
- Functional Skills Levels 1 & 2 in Maths and English
As your career progresses, you could also earn:
- Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship: Farrier
- Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship: Senior Equine Groom
Requirements
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
The British Army recruits throughout the year and you should ignore the application closing dates shown against this advert.
About this company
Protecting the nation and its dependent territories will always be the British Army's first role. Highly trained soldiers are ready to deploy anywhere at any time to meet a variety of challenges, ranging from support to the Police following a terrorist attack, to specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and intelligence experts, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, we are always ready to serve. You belong here.
https://www.army.mod.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
The Army offers job security, career growth, adventure and world-class training. Benefits include competitive pay, travel, fitness, leadership skills, a pension, free healthcare, cheaper housing and 30 days of paid leave a year, plus public holidays.
After this apprenticeship
The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the British Army. Promotion, along with increased salary and responsibility is dependent on successful completion of the apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection. As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest values and standards expected of the British Army. You belong here.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BRITISH ARMY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000315225.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Company’s application instructions
At this link you can find more information about the roles offered by the British Army. We have positions available for all roles throughout the year and you can ignore the application open/closing dates shown against this apprenticeship advertisement. Once you have completed an application you will be invited to complete an aptitude assessment, selection interview, health assessment and a fitness test. More details of the requirement can be found at the application link.