Life on the Darley Flying Start Course
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided during the course. Living arrangements vary from country to country. There are shared houses in rural settings in Ireland and Australia, shared apartments in Lexington city and on-campus individual rooms in Dubai.
Transport
Transport is provided locally in the form of shared cars and minivans. Bicycles are provided in Ireland with a minibus for visits off the farm.
Flights and visas: An allowance is provided to trainees for flights while on the course. Flights to and from Ireland at the beginning and end of the course are the trainees responsibility. Visas are arranged and paid for by Darley Flying Start during the course.
Health Insurance
Provided to trainees while on the course.
Laptops
Provided to trainees for coursework purposes.
Allowance
Trainees receive a subsistence allowance paid monthly. Subsistence is not paid during holidays.
A Week on Flying Start
Typically mornings start around 6am with trainees working hands-on as part of the stud or stable staff on the Darley operation where they are based. The work is physical and continues through inclement weather conditions as horses have to be cared for every day. Trainees report to the foreman under which they work.
There is a short break for lunch after which lectures take place from 2 to 4pm in dedicated training rooms at each location. Lectures are supported by management meetings, visits or workshops on or off site. Trainees are expected to be professional at all times in the workplace and for academic modules. This extends to dress, manner, timekeeping, work ethic and interpersonal skills.
Most weeks involve a deadline for an assignment or report and trainees are expected to manage their time and progress towards agreed goals. There is a strong emphasis on personal development, leadership and team work.
There are a number of social events and race meetings to attend as part of the programme which leads to busy weekends and evenings, which offers trainees the opportunity to network with industry leaders in a more relaxed setting. During work placements or internships, trainees work to the schedule agreed with the organisation where they are based.
After the Course
Graduates of Darley Flying Start continue to enjoy contact with existing course trainees and staff even after their time on the course. A private online forum enables current and past trainees to discuss and share thoughts, messages, images and video content.
What Current and Past Trainees Say...
Video Clips
Video clip 1 - Thoughts from Darley Flying Start trainees on the opportunities offered by the programme, including comments from Course Manager, Clodagh Kavanagh, on some of the qualities that are looked for in applicants. (WMV streaming format)
Video clip2 - Darley Flying Start trainees comment on life on the course. (WMV streaming format)