Wait continues for apprentice farriers due to sit exams

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(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

The postponed farrier apprentice exams are expected to take place in January under a new provider.

H&H reported that the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) had withdrawn its approval of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF), as it had “lost confidence in WCF’s ability to deliver the end point assessment (EPA) with the appropriate level of assurance” (news, 12 October).

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

Wait continues for apprentice farriers due to sit exams

At the time, a WCF spokesman said the company was “disappointed” but “working hard to rectify the situation”.

VetSkill is still to receive official approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), Ofqual and the FRC to hold the EPAs.

A WCF spokesman said the company’s examination board “stands ready to support the holding of the EPA in January” and will continue to give access to its examiner pool, question bank and IT systems “as far as it is able”.

“The WCF appreciates that candidates are concerned as to whether they will still be awarded the diploma of the WCF (DipWCF) on successful completion of the EPA.

We assure candidates that as long as the examination board is satisfied that the new provider meets the standards expected by the WCF, then they will receive their diplomas upon passing the EPA.”

An IfATE spokesman confirmed to H&H that an established organisation has applied to Ofqual and the FRC to provide the EPA for the farrier apprenticeship, and that the November EPAs will be moved to early 2024.

“We are continuing to work with key stakeholders to resume industry-standard EPA as quickly as possible and support all learners to complete their apprenticeships,” said the spokesman.

An FRC spokesman told H&H the FRC had no comment to make at this point.

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