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In a nutshell

From guinea pigs to birds, geckos to chinchillas, and snakes to donkeys... if you're an animal-lover, Â鶹´«Ã½ÍÅ¶Ó is for you!

This one-year, full-time course gives you the knowledge and skills to work with a wide range of animals, including rodents, rabbits, ferrets, lizards, snakes, frogs and birds. We are also building our exotic animal collection all the time which now includes meerkats and a skunk!!!

This course is for you if...

... You’re interested working outdoors in different weather conditions with a range of animals.

... You want to gain hands on experience working with a variety of animals, observing their behaviour and learning how to do health checks, accommodation cleaning and feeding.

... You want a combination of classroom study and practical work.

... You'd like a career working with animals.

... You're an animal-lover with a passion for creatures great and small!

What will I be doing?

This is an academic course, supported by a reasonable amount of practical work with animals.

The subjects you will study are:

• Estate Skills
• Animal Accommodation
• Animal Feeding
• Animal Health
• Biology
• Work Experience
• Animal Behaviour

You’ll also have the opportunity to work with equipment and machinery, including tractor driving and basic maintenance, fencing and hedge repairs and to develop the skills required to work with animals.

During the practical sessions, you’ll work with animals in our well-stocked Animal Care Centre at Usk campus, which houses a range of animals from ferrets and degus, to snakes and spiders.

The course is assessed through practical and written assignments to demonstrate your competence and understanding. On completion of the course, you’ll achieve the following qualifications:

• Level 2 in Animal Care
• Maths and/or English (if not already achieved at a C Grade or above)
• Other relevant qualifications to enhance your skill set

What is expected of me?

To apply for this course, you’ll need:

• a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade D or above, including either Maths/Maths Numeracy or English/Welsh First Language
• OR an appropriate Level 1 Diploma qualification in the relevant vocational area, achieved at a Merit grade or above.

Full commitment to participation and attendance above 90% is required, as well as respect for others, enthusiasm for the subject, respect for animals, and self-motivation.

You’ll be expected to participate in all practical sessions with the animals and hand in all assignments on time, and you’ll be continually assessed, with an expectation that you’ll continue your studies and coursework during your own time.

What comes next?

After completing this course, you'll be qualified in level 2 Animal Care. The next step is the Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Animal Management, providing you have achieved a minimum of Merit grade average at Level 2. Otherwise, you can go onto employment in related industries such as grooming parlours, pet stores, veterinary practices, catteries and kennels.

Additional information

Before joining this course, you’ll need to have an up-to-date tetanus injection prior to working with the animals.

For Health and Safety, you'll also need to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before working with the animals. This includes:

• a navy blue lab coat
• steel toe cap wellingtons
• navy blue overalls
• a bag to carry your PPE in

The approximate cost of the equipment is £40 and these items should be purchased before commencing your course.