Member Article

Apprentice holding the reins to a career

An 18-year-old Newcastle girl is saddling up for a career in equestrian care thanks to a training opportunity at a farm in Northumberland.

Victoria Carney is learning the ins and outs of riding and caring for horses in her role as a groom at Plessey Hall Farm in Cramlington, with the help of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) and Equestrian Development and Training.

Former Gosforth High School pupil Victoria was introduced to NECC by training advice and guidance specialist Connexions, on the e2e (entry to employment) training programme.

Victoria was originally offered the chance to become assistant manager at a high-street store in Gateshead.

She said: “Being offered an assistant manager’s position was a fantastic opportunity, but once I found out about the opportunity at Plessey Hall there was only ever going to be one winner. This is like a dream come true for me because I’ve always wanted to work with horses.

“I thought I already knew a lot about horses before I started working here, but I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve learnt.”

The e2e programme and Apprenticeships with NECC are an increasingly popular way for people to gain experience of work. Businesses can benefit through employees who are more skilled, more motivated and more in tune with the needs of the business.

Pat Newman, Victoria’s e2e training adviser at NECC, said: “Victoria has been given a golden opportunity to get a head start in a career that she wants, and she’s realised that she has to work hard at it. The e2e programme is a fantastic way for people to learn about the world of work and I’m sure this will be a great start for Victoria.”

For more information on NECC e2e Training and Apprenticeships, visit www.necc.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .