Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship – Standard

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.

Animal Care and Welfare Assistants must have a strong work ethic and be prepared to work irregular hours in all weather conditions. They must maintain safe working practices and take responsibility for themselves, animals and others

Length of programme

12- 18 months, with a minimum of 12 months prior to the End-point Assessment Gateway.

• Some experience volunteering or working with animals
• Good work ethic
• Be in employment and be committed to your career
• Three GCSEs at grade D/3 or above

The apprentice will follow a training programme to complete the apprenticeship requirements and meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for them to be fully competent:

• The apprentice works and trains with the employer and/or training provider
• The apprentice will create and maintain a mandatory portfolio in order to provide supporting evidence that will be needed to supplement the knowledge, skills and behaviours observed by the Independent Assessor at the End-point Assessment. The portfolio will be used as evidence for the professional discussion.
• A record of off-the-job training – this is training that must occur for a minimum of 20% of the time the apprentice is paid to work and is training delivered outside of their normal working duties – to develop a wider understanding of the industry.

Criteria

The qualification consists of:

7 Core Knowledge and Skills units:

• Safe Working Practices

5 Core Behaviour units:

• Safe Working
• Work Ethic
• Responsibility
• Team Work
• Communication

1 chosen Occupational route unit:

• Animal interaction and handling

Learning will take place in a variety of ways, which could include workplace training, formal courses, work shadowing, industrial visits, research, self-study, attendance at College for classroom/workshop activities and time spent completing assignments set by the assessor.

The apprentice will undertake their end-point assessment when the employer, training provider and apprentice all consider that they are ready to do so.  This stage of the apprenticeship is known as the gateway and will not be reached until the apprentice has completed at least 12 months on the programme. 

The end-point assessment will be carried out by an independent assessor and will be made up of a practical observation (2 hours) and a professional discussion informed by the completed portfolio.

The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace and on-site. 

You need PPE for the workplace and writing materials.

End-point Assessment Gradings

This qualification is graded Fail, Pass or Distinction

Functional Skills

Before taking the end-point assessment, apprentices must

• Have or achieve Level 1 English and Maths Functional Skills (equivalent to GCSE grades D to G)
• Have or take the test for Level 2 English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grades A* to C)

Further Study

You can progress to a full-time Level 3 in Animal Care programme or a further apprenticeship programme.

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk