Animal Care Level 2

Animal Care Apprenticeship Level 2

The Apprenticeship duration will be a minimum of 12 months.

Level 2 is the starting point for a career working with animals in a range of environments such as zoo’s, kennels, catteries, pet retail outlets and dog grooming parlours.

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.

The apprenticeship is made up from a ‘Framework’ and over the duration of the course you will need to complete the following: a work-based Diploma; a Technical Certificate, ERR (Employment Rights & Responsibilities), PLTS (Personal Learning and Thinking Skills) and Functional Skills in Maths and English.

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 £3.50 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!

Pathways

There are five pathways you can take depending on the type of employer you start an apprenticeship with. You’ll need to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills at each level to complete the one you choose.

The Animal Care and Welfare pathway will give you the skills and knowledge you need to work in an animal-based environment. It’ll enable you to provide the animals in your care with the very highest standards of welfare.

Although the course will be based largely on your own placement, the skills that you learn and develop will be transferrable to other locations.

This pathway will give you hands-on experience with the exotic species you might find in a Zoo, Wildlife Park, Wild Life Rescue, Falconry Centre or similar.

You’ll be able to choose relevant units of study for the animals you’re working with, such as: training, conservation, treatments, transportation, breeding, diets, enclosure design, and working with volunteers.

This pathway will teach you the styling needs for a variety of dog breeds, how to read their range of behaviours, as well as helping you recognise basic health issues.

You’ll be trained to work with both cats and dogs and to use a range of equipment for bathing, drying and grooming to a professional standard.

This pathway will enable you to work with a wide range of animals, from small mammals and birds, to fish and reptiles (depending on the retailer).

You’ll learn the health and welfare needs of a range of species, how to assist members of the public, as well as gaining an understating of the different pet care products on the shelves.

The Animal Training pathway will give you a better understanding of animal welfare and the legislation behind it as well as practical experience when developing and implementing training programmes.

This will provide you with the skills and knowledge to apply for a variety of animal training roles, such as: Animal Behaviourist, Service Dog Trainer, or even a role in the military.

  • Animal Care and Welfare

    The Animal Care and Welfare pathway will give you the skills and knowledge you need to work in an animal-based environment. It’ll enable you to provide the animals in your care with the very highest standards of welfare.

    Although the course will be based largely on your own placement, the skills that you learn and develop will be transferrable to other locations.

  • Zoos/Wildlife

    This pathway will give you hands-on experience with the exotic species you might find in a Zoo, Wildlife Park, Wild Life Rescue, Falconry Centre or similar.

    You’ll be able to choose relevant units of study for the animals you’re working with, such as: training, conservation, treatments, transportation, breeding, diets, enclosure design, and working with volunteers.

  • Dog Grooming

    This pathway will teach you the styling needs for a variety of dog breeds, how to read their range of behaviours, as well as helping you recognise basic health issues.

    You’ll be trained to work with both cats and dogs and to use a range of equipment for bathing, drying and grooming to a professional standard.

  • Pet Retail

    This pathway will enable you to work with a wide range of animals, from small mammals and birds, to fish and reptiles (depending on the retailer).

    You’ll learn the health and welfare needs of a range of species, how to assist members of the public, as well as gaining an understating of the different pet care products on the shelves.

  • Animal Training

    The Animal Training pathway will give you a better understanding of animal welfare and the legislation behind it as well as practical experience when developing and implementing training programmes.

    This will provide you with the skills and knowledge to apply for a variety of animal training roles, such as: Animal Behaviourist, Service Dog Trainer, or even a role in the military.