Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Level 2

Animal Care and Welfare Assistants 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 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.

Individuals will need to achieve the core skills and knowledge, behaviours and one option from the following list: Animal Interaction and Handling, Rehoming; Movement and Transportation; Operational/Reception Duties; Breeding; Zoos, Aquaria and Exotics; Working Dog Handler; Wildlife Rehabilitation, Veterinary Care Support.

A work-based apprenticeship will:

• Help you work at the commercial speed animal care employers expect.
• Increase your confidence working with animals, in a team and in the workplace.
• Give you the skills and knowledge to become a competent member of staff.
• Give you a reference for your CV.
• Provide you with essential employability skills to give you the best start in your working life.
• Put you alongside highly experienced and qualified staff who will train you to develop your skills working with animals.

• Maths and English

  Maths and English will be included in the delivery of the programme; unless you have achieved Grade A-C or 9-5 at GCSE level or a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification.

  You will have to complete your Functional Skills at Level 1 to achieve the full qualification. Teaching and support for Maths and English will be given in the workplace and contextualised to the working environment.

• Entry requirements, eligibility and employment

  Entry requirements and eligibility

  To access the Government funding to become an apprentice you will need to:

  • Be any age.
  • Have been an EU resident for a minimum of 3 years.
  • Not have already completed a Level 2 in Animal Care through college or an apprenticeship.
  • Not have achieved a Foundation or Degree, NVQ 4 or higher.
  • Not be in full-time education; school, college, university or on another apprenticeship.
  • Not have completed a Level 4 qualification or higher (Foundation Degree or Degree) in any subject.

   

  Employment

  • You will be a full time, employed member of staff
  • You can be paid the minimum of £3.90 per hour (National Minimum Apprenticeship Wage April 2017), unless you are aged 19 or over and completed the first year of your apprenticeship
  • You will need to have a contract of employment with your employer

   

  Working hours in line with the Working Time Directive

  If you are aged between 16-17, the maximum weekly hours you can work is 40 hours. You can only work a 5 day a week and you must receive two consecutive days off.

  If you are aged over 18 years old, the maximum you can work is 40 hours. You do not need to have two consecutive days off.

• Teaching, learning and assessment

  You will be regularly assessed in the workplace by your Trainer-Coach with testimonies from your Employer/Trainer. Case studies, pictures/videos and some written assignments/workbooks may also be used by your Assessor to check your knowledge and understanding.

• What are the next steps in your career?

  The next step is to complete a Level 3 Apprenticeship either with your current employer or with a new employer.

  If you want to move across into a 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.

  Take a look at our Animal Care Career Path!