The annual Careers Fair at Enniskillen Campus of CAFRE took place last week, providing an ideal opportunity for equine students to make contact with potential employers in the industry.

A large number of leading companies, from horse breeding and training to service industries, set up stands at the Careers Fair at the Campus buildings.

Those involved in providing stands or leading interviews also got an opportunity to tour the yard where they saw the attention to detail in looking after the horses.

Students get plenty of practical training, getting up early to work in the stables, or progressing to racing, or looking at the breeding unit.

At a lunch attended by industry representatives, the Careers Fair was launched by Councillor Thomas O'Reilly, SF, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who said the Campus was unique in Ireland as it offered the widest range of courses from Level 2 and 3, and part-time courses, to fully accredited degree courses.

Councillor O’Reilly said the College – which has around 150 students – made a valuable contribution to the local economy.

It was, he said, internationally recognised for the calibre of student graduating, with many of them taking up exciting opportunities on work placements and internships.

He particularly commended Jane Elliott and her staff for their commitment to the young people progressing to careers in the equine industry around the world.

Some of the former students returned to the Careers Fair to offer advice to the new intake of students.

One of these was Adam Short from Omagh, who is now involved in specialist horse nutrition.

He graduated in 2021 with a BSc (Hons) degree in equine management, and said the course offered a balance of classroom-based and practical opportunities using the Campus facilities, which now includes state-of-the-art horse simulators.

"I secured the position of Sales, Marketing and Nutritional Advisor with Bluegrass Horse Feed. I enjoy being able to use my equine science and management knowledge in my job," he said.

Some students progress to the leading global companies in the equine industry. Emma McCabe, for example, upon graduation with her degree, obtained a Coolmore Internship, which led to a career in the thoroughbred industry, where she works as Stallion Stud Secretary and Client Relations for Kia Ora Stud in Australia.

Others work on the practical side, such as Vickki Poole, who is a groom at Paul Schockemohle's competition stables in Germany, where she looks after the high-achieving showjumping horses.