If you’ve never employed an animal care apprentice before, you’re not alone – and you’re certainly not expected to know everything. At The College of Animal Welfare, we regularly work with employers who are completely new to apprenticeships and may feel unsure about where to start.
The good news? We guide you through the entire process.
Addressing common employer concerns
Many first-time employers worry about:
- Paperwork and compliance
- Time commitment
- Training responsibilities
- “Getting it wrong”
These concerns are completely understandable — and they’re exactly why we provide comprehensive employer support.
What employing an animal care apprentice really involves
An apprentice is an employee, paid by you, who learns while working in your organisation. You provide:
- A suitable role aligned to animal care
- Day-to-day supervision
- Opportunities to practise relevant skills
- Off-the-job training hours
We take care of the training materials, assessment, and apprenticeship structure.
How The College of Animal Welfare supports you
We don’t just enrol apprentices — we partner with employers. Our support includes:
- Clear guidance before recruitment begins
- Help understanding funding and eligibility
- Support with onboarding and paperwork
- Regular contact from an experienced assessor
- Ongoing advice if challenges arise
You’re never left to figure things out on your own.
Building confidence — for you and your apprentice
Our Level 2 and Level 3 Animal Care Apprenticeships are ideal whether you’re taking on your first apprentice or looking to upskill existing members of staff. We build confidence in both apprentices and employers, ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.
- Animal Care and Welfare Assistant (Level 2 Apprenticeship)
- Animal Care and Welfare Manager (Level 3 Apprenticeship)
Take the first step with confidence
If you’re new to apprenticeships, choosing the right training provider makes all the difference. With 30 years of experience in animal care education, we will support you from first enquiry to successful completion.
For a free, non-obligatory chat, please contact our Client Advisor Team on 01480 422060 / email: admin@caw.ac.uk or request a call back here.
Please note that the information in this post is correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.