From September, students wishing to undertake the Veterinary Care Assistants (VCA) programme can do so under the Government’s Apprenticeship Scheme.
This is great news for employers and students alike; providing students with the opportunity to train as a VCA, often the starting point for progressing into veterinary nursing and providing employers with the opportunity to recruit and train nursing support staff in a structured manner.
Employers who choose to take on a VCA apprentice will be required to pay them at least the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices, currently £2.60 per hour; with students needing to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week. The Government can also help in the recruitment process on their free online dedicated website. Adverts can also be placed, free of charge, on our new Jobs Board.
Further details, including funding eligibility, will be available on our website later this month.