BHA Work Experience BHA Work Experience Toolkit | Page 8

WHAT WORKS WELL FOR
OTHER TRAINERS/STUDS?
• An interview with the candidate as
you might for a real job. This gives
the candidate (and his or her parents
who will probably come along too)
the chance to find out more about
what’s involved, to have a look round,
to understand about any risks in
the working environment and how
you manage them. It helps them to
understand what the candidate may
be doing if this is done in advance.
You might ask what subjects interest
the candidate at school and what
aspects of working in a stud or
stable they are most interested in.
This can test how serious they are
about doing work experience in a
yard or stud. If it isn’t for them, the
sooner they decide that the better -
that is a good outcome too.
• A
 n ‘offer letter’ to the student
in advance explaining the work
experience placement, what is
required of the student in terms
of clothing and appearance,
timekeeping and to whom they
should report to on their first day and
when. You can also explain how you
have undertaken risk assessments
for young people but that there
are inherent risks in working with
horses. There is a sample letter with
information for parents included as
part of this toolkit.
• A
 dding some extra elements
to the normal induction to
emphasise things like:-
– T
 he importance of following
instructions
– T
 he importance of good
timekeeping
– T
 he importance of being
neat, clean and tidy and well
presented
– A
 pproaching the placement
with the right attitude
– Where to go and when
– Who is in charge
– W
 orking hours, lunch
arrangements
– Y
 ou get as much out as you
put in: ask questions!
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HORSERACING WORK EXPERIENCE TOOLKIT FOR EMPLOYERS