Animal Management
Level 2
Animal Care and Welfare Assistant, Apprenticeship
The Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship offers a rewarding opportunity for individuals who are passionate about working with animals and seeking employment in the field. As an apprentice, you will work alongside experienced professionals at award-winning Puxton Park, gaining valuable job-specific skills, knowledge, and behaviours in animal care.
This comprehensive programme covers the routine husbandry and care of domestic and/or wild animals in diverse settings, such as kennels, catteries, laboratories, farm parks and animal welfare centres. With a focus on safe practices and responsibility, this apprenticeship provides a solid foundation for a successful career in animal care and welfare.
An apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to acquire industry-specific qualifications and valuable hands-on experience while earning a salary. You’ll gain practical skills that make you highly employable and give you a head start in your career.
Through our unique partnership with Puxton Park, awarded the National Farm Attraction of the Year, you will participate in the care of a diverse range of animals. This hands-on experience will involve working alongside experienced staff and engaging with farm visitors, so you will also develop essential employability skills like communication, customer service and decision making. This is a physically demanding apprenticeship – Animal Care and Welfare Assistants must have a strong work ethic and be prepared to work irregular hours in all weather conditions – but you will be rewarded by seeing first-hand the difference you can make to animals’ lives.
Our experienced tutors are industry specialists, and they are dedicated to teaching you the necessary theory to complement your practical knowledge. Our qualifications have been developed in collaboration with local and national employers and are successful in getting our students into animal management-related jobs and onto relevant degrees. When you study with us you will automatically join our Animal Management Career Excellence Hub, which is endorsed by leading employers who are actively involved throughout your whole training programme. Through guest lectures, company visits, work experience and recruitment events, you will have unrivalled access to potential employers – that means invaluable industry insight and numerous networking opportunities.
WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE
You will gain the skills to be able to:
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Work effectively in a safe and healthy working environment following current/relevant health and safety legislation and workplace policies.
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Maintain hygiene, biosecurity procedures and infection controls when working with animals including quarantine and isolation.
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Approach/handle/restrain/move/recapture animals as part of routine husbandry appropriate for the species and individual.
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Exercise/socialise animals and provide appropriate enrichment relevant to their specific needs.
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Provide food and water to animals and monitor their intake.
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Identify and describe animals using appropriate methods for the species involved (e.g., scanning for microchips).
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Maintain, update and reference correct records in accordance with current legislation.
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Deliver customer experience (internal and external), where applicable, in line with workplace policies and procedures.
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Respond to animal first aid, urgent, ongoing, and preventive care requirements as appropriate.
This course will also develop teamwork, independent working, and maths and English skills.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
You will be assessed through a portfolio of evidence and an End Point Assessment which consists of a practical assessment and a professional discussion.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Most Weston College apprentices are kept on by their employer after they finish their programme. Upon completion of this apprenticeship, you could progress to the Level 3 in Animal Management at the College.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You don’t need any formal qualifications to enrol on this apprenticeship, but you will be assessed to ensure you can complete the English and maths qualification to at least Level 1. You will also need to be in relevant employment, but we can help you find this.
To be an apprentice, you will need to find a suitable employer. Click here for advice: How to Apply for an Apprenticeship | Weston College
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
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Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.
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