WORKING WITH ANIMALS  

A passion for pets can be the foundation of a career in animal care, such as working at a veterinary practice or grooming dogs. Other rewarding options include working on a farm or working for an animal rescue organisation.

In the Liverpool City Region, we are fortunate to be home to some of the country’s leading training centres for animal-related careers, including Lite Ltd.

Becoming an apprentice in animal care

Rated as an outstanding training provider by Ofsted, Lite Ltd in St Helens has helped many secure meaningful careers in animal care. Lite offers a range of apprenticeships suitable for building a career working with animals:

• Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant apprenticeship
• Level 2 Dog Groomer apprenticeship
• Level 3 Veterinary Nurse apprenticeship

Jackie Shopland-Reed, head of centre at Lite Ltd, explains that anybody wishing to start a career in animal care through apprenticeships must be proactive. She says:

“To enrol as an apprentice, candidates should ideally first find an employer who is willing to offer them employment in a role that is relevant to the apprenticeship. We then provide training alongside this job. Apprentices practice developing their skills hands-on with animals whilst working towards achieving the standards required by the apprenticeship.”

Finding a job opportunity

Finding a job opportunity that involves working with animals so that you can start your apprenticeship, can be highly competitive. However, some employers offer entry-level roles that are suitable for apprenticeships.

For the Animal Care and Welfare Assistant apprenticeship, look for roles such as kennel/cattery assistant, animal technician, animal welfare assistant, animal daycare assistant, animal collection officer, wildlife rehabilitation assistant, zookeeper assistant, pet retail assistant, animal handler, veterinary care assistant, or farm park assistant.

Typical entry roles suitable for the Dog Groomer apprenticeship include positions working in kennels, pet day centres, pet stores, or rescue centres. 

To undertake the apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing, candidates must be working in a veterinary environment and hold a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including maths, English, and a science subject.

Jackie advises anyone who wants a career working with animals to start early:

“Take every opportunity to add work experience to your CV. Achieve this through school placements, summer work, or volunteering with animals as a hobby. Experience will build confidence and make you stand out to employers.

“Our students have gone on to become clinical nurses, supervisors and managers at respected veterinary practices. Others are managers with household names in pet care.”

The human element

Most jobs involving animal care will require a combination of physical fitness and a compassionate nature. You won’t only be dealing with animals, so your communication skills with animal owners, suppliers and colleagues are just as essential.

Here’s an insight into the apprenticeships offered by Lite:

Level 3 Veterinary Nurse apprenticeship

This level 3 apprenticeship is the ideal path for you if you aspire to a career caring for animals that includes hands-on experience with medical procedures. Expect to find the training challenging. To enrol, you’ll need 5 GCSEs including maths, English and a science.

What you’ll learn: Animal anatomy, infection control, legislation, and dealing with emergencies are all on the curriculum. You’ll be working and training for up to three years. 

Successful completion of this apprenticeship means you can apply for registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

What could your career look like? From hamsters to horses, you’ll be set to pursue your passion. You could find a job assisting in a vet’s practice, working in surgery, or on reception. Once qualified, you can progress to become a clinical supervisor, head nurse or practice manager. Some go on to work for veterinary suppliers or animal pharmaceutical firms.

Level 2 Dog Groomer apprenticeship

If you dream about pampering pooches, take a look at the level 2 apprenticeship in dog grooming. Ideally, you will have some experience or training in animal care. 

What you’ll learn: Hands-on skills to become a competent dog groomer – bathing, brushing, clipping and nail trimming. Alongside these practical skills, you’ll become proficient in managing appointments and ensuring a safe and clean grooming salon.

What could your career look like? Many dog groomers choose self-employment. In an employed role, you could progress to be a salon manager. National and local salons and retailers often recruit apprentices and enrol you on training alongside your job.

Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant apprenticeship

What you’ll learn: You’ll develop core knowledge and skills, including animal-related legislation, signs of problems with animals’ health & welfare, basic medication, first aid, handling, appropriate accommodation, and much more. 

What could your career look like? Many apprentices who complete their training continue with their employer and develop their animal caring career in the organisation. Others progress to the level 3 apprenticeship in veterinary nursing.

More animal-related careers

There are many other animal-related career pathways you can consider. They include animal training instruction, detection and protection working dog specialist, zoo-keeping, or working in aquariums.

Other animal-related apprenticeships include the newly approved Level 3 Detection and Protection Working Dog Specialist apprenticeship, as well as the Level 2 Equine Groom apprenticeship, which progresses to the Level 3 Senior Groom apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are not the only route into the sector. Self-funding or obtaining an Advanced Learner Loan are other ways to finance your course. Courses such as the City & Guilds level 2 or 3 certificates in dog grooming can be funded independently.  

If you are sure you want to work with animals, remember that it is a competitive field to enter. Your dream job might not happen overnight! Being determined, offering your time for free, and a willingness to go the extra mile could well be the key.