IN an interview recently published in these pages, Seamus McAlinney, Head of Equine at the Enniskillen Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), related how students were “working hard with their online studies” following the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions at the Campus.

These restrictions had resulted in the students, and the lecturing staff, being moved out of the college to work from home, leaving a small number of staff in situ to tend to the horses and maintain essential services. Among Webinar talks since then has been a Questions and Answers session on ‘Managing horses in lockdown’.

In that interview with The Irish Field’s Ronan Groome, McAlinney was also keen to stress that the college “will be open for business for a new intake of students at Enniskillen next autumn so any young person interested in studying for a Degree or Diploma in Equine Management should get in touch with us for a discussion as soon as possible.”

This was reiterated last week in a press release from CAFRE which further explained why prospective students would want to attend the College.

“CAFRE’s ethos is very much captured by the phrase ‘learning by doing’, a concept which is fully embraced by our students” with Toni Donnelly, a Schools Recruitment Adviser at the College stating: “What is taught in the classroom can be easily demonstrated in our practical facilities. And, these are not just any practical facilities.

“CAFRE’s Knowledge Advisory Service works closely with industry to develop businesses and enhance the knowledge and skills of those already working in the agri-food sector. As a result, the practical facilities at Enniskillen Campus are superb, demonstrating the latest science, technology, innovations and business management techniques for industry as well as allowing students to learn in first-class facilities in courses delivered by highly qualified staff.

Invaluable

The Campus houses three equine units namely the racing yard, breeding and equitation Units which are invaluable to students’ learning. Students also have the security of knowing that industry links are established from day one of their journey through CAFRE with over £64,000 in bursaries available of which £24,000 is available to first year equine degree students.

Donnelly continued: “Industry visits and work placements are an integral part of programmes. Students can be based in the UK and Ireland or travel further afield. In fact, international travel is encouraged. For example, in recent years Enniskillen students have travelled to Kentucky to work as shadow staff in leading thoroughbred and sport horse businesses.

“Students gain valuable experience on placement and this leaves them well placed to gain employment in the equine industry at different levels depending on their qualifications and experience.

“Job opportunities in the equine industry are wide-ranging and offer the opportunity for world-wide travel. Job satisfaction is always quoted as one of the best things about a career in the industry.”

Graduates of CAFRE’s equine school include many people who have carved out successful careers. For example, Francis Finnegan is a racehorse trainer in New Zealand; Anthony O’Donnell is part of the stallion nominations sales team at Godolphin and Darren McKay is yearling manager at Yulong Investments Stud in Australia.

There are also plenty of opportunities closer to home. Nessa Toher Shannon manages her own equestrian centre in Galway as well as being a BHS Instructor and competing with considerable success in dressage. Emma Ferguson has recently secured a position as Horseware Ireland’s Global marketing manager for their home brand while Orlagh Rice is training manager for at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare.

Donnelly, who is one of the staff members working from home, concluded: “Other opportunities lie in lecturing, consultancy, administration, marketing as well as farriery. CAFRE’s highly-skilled and knowledgeable graduates are much sought after with 93% securing jobs within six months of graduating.”

If you would like to find out more about CAFRE and the courses on offer please visit the website www.cafre.ac.uk, email: enquiries@cafre.ac.uk or call Freephone 0800 028 4291.