Victoria is passionate about the learning that she has undertaken, both on and off the job. “After leaving school I was confident that going to Warwickshire College was the right choice for me," she says. "I completed the BTEC National Diploma in Horse Management. The course was very practical and included an industrial placement. As part of the course I also gained the NVQ level 2 in horse care.
"After the two years the higher education courses appealed to me but I wanted to work in the industry for a year, so I could find a little more direction. In this time I have worked for two establishments, both very different.
"I was able to get a lot more teaching experience and pass some of the exams I hoped to complete"
"I enjoyed working at a small point to point yard in Towcester for four months but wanted more opportunity to gain the BHS qualifications. I applied for a position at Hinckley Equestrian Centre as a trainee instructor/groom. This was a full time, live-in position and was a much larger set up than before. I had the opportunity to work with a bigger team and many different types of horses. The job role gave me a lot of responsibility and confidence in my ability. I was able to get a lot more teaching experience and pass some of the exams I hoped to complete. I took the BHS Stage Two Riding and Care and the Preliminary Teaching Test (PTT) and have started to record my hours in the log book.
"At the centre I was involved with exam days, training for young learners and NVQ students. I returned to Warwickshire College full time to do the HND Equine Studies and intend to top up to degree level if possible.”
