[Equihunter] The British Grooms Association posed an interesting question on their website today …. What is the real truth behind the employment issues in our industry?

The British Grooms Association has been created to provide a professional organisation for grooms of all disciplines.

The British Grooms Association (BGA) has issued a plea to the equestrian industry for their help in unveiling the truth behind employment trends within the sector. As the professional membership association which represents the career interests of grooms, the BGA is urging all those who work with horses to come forward and have their say.

Lucy Katan, Executive Director of the BGA, explained, “We are calling for grooms and employers to fill in our anonymous surveys to help us to build a realistic picture of the employment practices that are occurring right now. There have been several headlines about grooms and employers recently all of which raise concerning issues. For the BGA to make a real difference to the working lives of both grooms and employers we must first discover the real facts.”

….many parents are increasingly concerned about their children working for riders in our industry. Image: BGA

The two surveys, one targeted at grooms and the other to employers, have been compiled with the combined expertise of Georgina Brooke-Holmes of Coventry University and Sport England in partnership with BGA. Participants can opt to submit their answers anonymously to ensure that a true picture is generated. To add a little more incentive there is the opportunity for respondents to win a £100 cash prize or a luxury hamper of Absorbine grooming products, in return for giving up a few minutes of their time.

Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the British Equestrian Federation, commented: “We are pleased that the BGA is taking on this research project. Once again it demonstrates that they are leading the industry in this crucial area of work. We urge all of those that work with horses, either as a groom or an employer, to take time to fill in a survey.”

Filling out the surveys is easy.

If you are a groom, freelancer, working pupil or apprentice follow this link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/grooms_research

If you are an employer please go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/employers_research

Read the original BGA press release here…..

British Grooms Association
9th Jan, 2014

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