A leading land-based college is stepping confidently forward after securing a landmark partnership with British Dressage — bringing the nationally recognised apprenticeship to Wales for the very first time.
The collaboration marks a major milestone for Coleg Cambria’s established Equine provision and builds on its strong reputation for delivering high-quality, work-based learning across North and Mid Wales.
Already proven in England and Scotland, the British Dressage Apprenticeship is now open to learners aged 16 and over who are living and working in Wales, offering a new route into professional equestrian careers.
Katy Davies, Work Based Equine and Animal Care Practitioner and Lead at Coleg Cambria, said:
“We are proud to support learners across Wales as they develop careers in the equestrian industry.
“Partnering with British Dressage is an exciting step forward and creates valuable networking and opportunities for those starting off their equine career or progressing to higher levels.
“We already have long-standing, well-established programmes that are popular with the equine community across North and Mid Wales.
“This new collaboration strengthens that offer further and reflects the growing demand for work-based learning from people who want to upskill, progress and gain recognised qualifications while gaining hands-on industry experience.”
Learners benefit from nationally recognised qualifications while earning a wage, supported by Cambria’s experienced, industry-served assessing teams and enhanced by added-value learning activities from British Dressage.
Although dressage sits at the heart of the partnership, the initiative also highlights the wide range of equine career pathways supported by the college.
Coleg Cambria delivers extensive work-based equine and animal care apprenticeships across Powys, Anglesey and Wrexham, helping learners access opportunities throughout North and Mid Wales.
The broader land-based sector spans Equine and Animal Care, Veterinary Nursing, Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Arboriculture, reflecting the diversity of careers available.
Equine apprenticeship training is offered from Level 2 through to Level 4, including British Horse Society and City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Equine Horse Care, riding, breeding and coaching, alongside the British Horse Society Level 4 pathway in senior care, riding and management.
Each apprenticeship is tailored to individual interests and career goals, ensuring learning supports personal progression.
Work-based Learning Manager Kate Muddiman said the partnership demonstrates a shared ambition to shape the next generation of equine professionals.
“This partnership with British Dressage is a powerful statement of our ambition for the sector. By combining Coleg Cambria’s dedicated approach to work-based learning with internationally respected standards in horse welfare and training, we are creating a truly gold-standard route into equine careers.”
British Dressage Head of Development Charlotte Osborne added:
“I’m thrilled to welcome Coleg Cambria as a partner for the British Dressage Apprenticeship programme. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible route into equestrian sport and expanding opportunities into Wales is an important next step.
“We look forward to working closely with Coleg Cambria to support learners throughout their journey.”