Course Overview

As a manager of a department of team within a veterinary practice, you will be responsible for a range of responsibilities, including managing projects, growing talent and mentoring staff members. If you have some experience of managing a team, or in a position such as head nurse or practice manager, but haven’t had any formal or theoretical training, this apprenticeship is for you!

You will build upon your current leadership knowledge by learning a range of skills such as how to:

  • Understand business development tools
  • Manage change
  • Motivate and improve performance
  • Negotiate with stakeholders
  • Manage budgets and undertake financial forecasting

You will also have the opportunity to study the ILM Level 5 Diploma for Operational Managers alongside this apprenticeship at a reduced cost.

Key Facts

  • Attendance: Online learning. Additional workplace assessor visits can also be discussed on an individual basis
  • Duration: 24 months (a minimum of six hours per week must be spent undertaking off-the-job training)
  • Start Date: Start at any time.
  • Location: You must be living and working in England.

Non-apprenticeship Level 5 Leadership and Management training is also available.

Course Content

This apprenticeship consists of the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to effectively manage people and deliver results.

It is important to note that six hours per week of working time must be spent undertaking ‘off-the-job training’. This may, for example, be by online learning, guided study or undertaking projects related to the workplace to gather portfolio evidence.

Knowledge and skills

The knowledge and skills studied include:

  • Operational Management
  • Project Management
  • Finance
  • Leading and managing people within your team or practice
  • Building relationships
  • Communication
  • Self-awareness and management
  • Decision making

Behaviours

The behaviours looked at include:

  • Responsibility – managing difficult situations and seeking new opportunities
  • Inclusivity – being authentic and seeking views of others whether they are an RVN, a veterinary receptionist, an animal care assistant or a director
  • Agility – being positive, creative and flexible to change in the busy veterinary environment
  • Professionalism – operating within organisational values whilst being consistent and fair

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship access will be given to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and an online portfolio will be completed. Once agreed an End Point Assessment will be undertaken by an independent assessor.

This consists of the following:

  • Knowledge Test
  • Competency-based Interview
  • Portfolio of evidence assessment
  • Presentation on a work based project
  • Professional discussion

Unless exempt Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English are also undertaken which are assessed via online examinations and practical assessments.

Entry Requirements

Ideally, you should have 5 GCSEs at grades C/4 or above including English Language and Mathematics.

You will also need to be living and working in England in a suitable leadership role within your practice and earning at least the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices. To complete this apprenticeship within 18 months you will need to be working for a minimum of 30 hours per week, if you are working less than 30 hours a week the length of your apprenticeship will be extended depending on your working hours.

If you have a level 5 (or above) qualification in a similar subject you may not be able to undertake this apprenticeship, in which case you may wish to undertake the ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.

International qualifications

Students with foreign qualifications are required to have their certificates translated using a UK ENIC Statement to confirm if they have previously achieved Level 2 English and Level 2 maths for their apprenticeship. If a student has not previously achieved this, they will need to complete Functional Skills English and/or maths as part of their apprenticeship. More information about how to apply, how it works and prices can be found on the UK ENIC’s website here.

Course Fees

Apprenticeship course fees are payable by the employer.

Fees are dependent upon the size of the organisation you are employed in as this will impact if your employer is a levy payer, or a non-levy payer.

Course fees for Apprenticeship Levy Payers

Levy payers in England will pay the full apprenticeship amount of £7,000 using their digital account.

Course fees for Non-Levy Payers

Non-levy paying employers in England are required to contribute 5% (£350 in one payment) towards the cost of the apprenticeship provided they use their digital account to process the claim for 95% funding available.

All fees are fully inclusive of End Point Assessment (EPA) fees. However, if a student needs to re-sit their EPA, re-sit fees may be payable.

Before making any financial decision it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.

These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of The College of Animal Welfare.

Employ an apprentice aged 16-18 and save over £1,000!
If you take on an apprentice under 19 years of age, you will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government towards the training fees! In addition, apprenticeship fees may be fully funded for those under 21 years of age, working in a non-levy paying organisation with less than 50 employees.

Save 50% off the ILM Level 5 Diploma for Operational Managers qualification course fees if you study it alongside this apprenticeship (Awarding Body fees still apply). 

What Next?

Completing this apprenticeship will provide you with the skills necessary to make effective decisions and confidently lead your team. On completion of this apprenticeship, depending on your experience, you will be able to apply to become a Member of the Institute of Leadership (MIoL).