Were you pleased with the GCSE results you received? Or maybe you didn’t quite achieve the grades you were hoping for? Either way, now is the time to be thinking about the next step…
Stuck for what to do next?
Are you stuck wondering what you’re going to do next? If so, why not look around and consider which career path would be best suited to your skill set and lifestyle.
If, like most of us, you love animals and would love to be able to work with them, why not make it a reality? There are many options for you to explore when considering a career with animals. Some of these include:
- Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Surgeon
- Veterinary Care Assistant
- Dog Groomer
- Kennel/Cattery Worker
- Dog Trainer
- Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
And the list goes on!
How can I get into a career with animals?
The first thing you’ll need to do is consider what career with animals would be best for you. For example, if you’re squeamish, veterinary nursing might not be for you. After you’ve established what career path you’d like to go down, you can begin to look at how to get qualified.
Some of the courses we offer at CAW…
- Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing
You’ll get the chance to assist veterinary surgeons with the care of animals during treatment and carry out x-rays and diagnostic tests. You’ll attend college on day release or block release (depending on where you study) and will spend the rest of your time on work placement, where you’ll get to put your learning into practice and gain real life experience. - Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support
This course allows you to do all your studying online alongside employment or voluntary work in a veterinary practice. Throughout the course you will look at topics such as Animal Health and Welfare, Animal Environment and Accommodation, an Introduction to Animal Anatomy and Physiology and more. - Level 2 Diploma in Work-based Animal Care
If you’re already working with animals or are looking to find a job in the animal care industry, this qualification will suit you perfectly. All of your studying will be done online through our Virtual Learning Environment alongside employment in an animal care environment. You’ll look at a number of mandatory units, including preparing feed for animals, controlling and restraining animals, maintaining animal accommodation and more! You’ll then also get to choose from a range of optional units, such as preparing and grooming animals, providing controlled exercise opportunities for animals, loading and unloading animals for transportation, to name a few. - Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant Apprenticeship
This apprenticeship is the perfect way for those who dream of working with animals to get started in the industry. Or, if you’re already working in an animal care environment, why not have your skills formally recognised? All learning is work-based so you won’t have to come into college, and since it’s an apprenticeship – you’d be earning a wage while studying towards a Level 2 qualification. What’s more, to tailor your learning to your job role you’ll get to choose from one of seven further learning pathways, some of these include Animal Interaction and Handling, Rehoming, Working Dog Handler, Wildlife Rehabilitation and more.
Need some more information?
If you’re still unsure about what you want to do next, you can speak to a member of our Customer Advice Team (CAT) on 01480 422060. They will be able to help you explore the different options available and help you establish which would be best for you.
Alternatively, The College of Animal Welfare is holding its Careers With Animals Day event at its centre in Leeds this October. If you want to work with animals and are looking to find out how you can make it happen, this really is an event not to be missed. As well as speaking to industry professionals about careers working with animals, visitors can also listen to a variety of careers talks being held throughout the day.
What’s more – you can listen to last year’s careers talks on our website by clicking here.