Animal Care & Welfare Assistant Level 2

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As an Animal Care and Welfare Assistant you will look after the routine day to day husbandry and care of domestic and/or wild animals under guidance in a variety of different settings. The work is carried out individually or as part of a team in places such as kennels and catteries, laboratories, animal welfare centres, farm parks, rehabilitation centres, retail outlets and in the transportation of animals. The apprenticeship can be tailored to different specialisms including zoos and wildlife work, pet retail and animal training.

This apprenticeship will:

• Ensure you are trained to become a fully competent senior member of staff.
• Provide the skills and knowledge needed to be consistent in your level of work.
• Increase confidence in working with animals, in a team and in the workplace.
• Help you to work at the commercial speed employers expect.

• The role of an animal care apprentice

  The role of an apprentice includes:

  • Promoting the health and well-being of animals in your care.
  • Delivering basic treatment to animals within the workplace.
  • Maintaining the animals’ accommodation and preparing their feed.
  • Learning to safely control and restrain the animals you are working with.

   

  All apprentices will be entering professional employment in this wonderful industry; receiving a contract of employment and being paid in line with the Apprentice National Minimum Wage and current Government guidance. The role requires dedication and commitment, as well as learning and adhering to safe working practices.

• Entry Requirements
  • To apply for this apprenticeship you will need to be of school leaver age.
  • As part of this apprenticeship, maths and English will be developed up to a Level 2 functional skills standard if you haven’t already achieved a GCSE grade 4-9, A*-C or a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification.

  If you are still in full-time education; school, college, university, on another apprenticeship, or just unsure of your suitability just contact our friendly team to discuss.

• Teaching, learning and assessment

  Throughout your journey, you will learn the core apprenticeship components, taking part in monthly sessions with your Trainer-Coach, accessing different learning systems and spending time learning and enhancing skills, knowledge and behaviours whilst at work. If required you will also be supported to develop your maths and English, in preparation for your functional skills qualifications. You will then be assessed by a final end point assessment (EPA) for your overall apprenticeship.

  Every four months you will practice your tests and assessments in preparation for EPA. Your EPA consists of a knowledge test, observation at work and a professional discussion. These are all designed to prove competence in the workplace and you are fully supported in your preparation for this.

  All our Trainer-Coaches are experts in the animal care industry and will be on hand to support you throughout your apprenticeship. They will check your knowledge and understanding through a variety of methods including assignments, workbooks, tailored resources, and observations before agreeing with you and your employer that you are ready to take your final endpoint assessment.

• What are the next steps in your career?

  If you want to move across into different areas of animal welfare our recruitment team can help you apply for apprenticeship vacancies we already have. In your career with animals, there’ll be scope to move up the ladder, across sectors and it can even take you abroad.