The training of farriery apprentices in Great Britain is overseen by the Farriery Training Agency, which is a managing agency established by the Farriers Registration Council. There are therefore, very close links between the work of the Worshipful Company, the Farriers Registration Council, and the Farriery Training Agency. The normal period of training for an apprentice is four years and two months. The minimum age for candidates to start an Apprenticeship in Farriery is 16 years. There is no upper age limit. Further details about the apprenticeship scheme are available from the Farriery Training Agency.

To train as a farrier, an apprentice must be employed by an Approved Training Farrier (ATF). The ATF is a farrier who is able to fulfil the criteria laid down by the Farriers Registration Council in the apprenticeship framework. The role of the ATF is central to the concept of the apprenticeship in that he/she is responsible for the greater part of the apprentice training.

Apprenticeship training consists of two parts. Firstly, the “on-the-job” training with the ATF which takes up the majority of the time, and secondly the “off-the-job” training at a college which has been designated as an Approved Training Centre. The training at college normally totals twenty-three weeks and is spread throughout the four years and two months of the apprenticeship. Candidates will have to achieve Key/Core Skills in Application of Number, and Communication, and College Certificates in Business Studies, and Information Technology (unless exempt due to prior learning), and successfully complete a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 3 in farriery as part of their training. The Diploma Examination is then taken towards the end of the final apprenticeship year.

On passing the Diploma, a person is entitled to hold the Company’s Diploma certificate, to be recorded in the Company’s Register and to use the letters DipWCF after his/her name. Overseas candidates can make an application to the Farriers Registration Council on the grounds of specific qualifications achieved and/ or a minimum of two years regular and gainful farriery experience in another country. Those without recognised qualifications or experience will be required to complete a short period of training or an apprenticeship and obtain the necessary qualifications for registration purposes.