Did you know that Thursday 14 March 2024 is University Mental Health Day? A day, created by the UK’s Student Mental Health Charity – Student Minds and the University Mental Health Advisors Network (UMHAN), that brings together the university community to raise awareness of student mental health, reduce stigma and create ongoing change.

Work to raise awareness of mental health problems and reduce the stigma is ongoing, but still half of those affected say that the isolation and shame is worse than the condition itself. This has to stop.

How can you keep mentally well?

Diet

Eat a healthy, well-balanced, diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Eat at regular times and drink plenty of water. Limit high caffeine or sugary drinks and avoid too much alcohol consumption. Mind have put together a very helpful video on how to manage your mood with food.

Sleep

Sleep is really important. A lack of sleep can cause us to feel depressed, anxious and less able to think rationally and cope with everyday things. Below are some tips for getting a good night’s sleep:

• Set a bedtime routine – try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day
• Relax before bedtime – listen to relaxing music, have a bath, meditate
• Get comfy – usually dark, quiet and cool is best but this depends on the individual
• Give yourself some tech free time

Physical activity

Studies show that there’s approximately a 20% – 30% lower risk of depression for adults participating in daily physical activity¹. Physical activity can help in a number of ways: it releases endorphins (feel good hormones) that can help calm anxiety and lift your mood, can help you to sleep better, can produce a sense of calm, and can increase your self esteem and give you a sense of achievement.

Relationships

Having positive, supportive relationships with people raises our self-esteem, makes us feel more confident and helps us to cope with any difficulties we may face. It also gives us someone to talk things through with, but also lets us help others which makes us feel good about ourselves.

Hobbies and interests

It is really important that we do things that we enjoy such as walking, cooking, amateur dramatics etc. Doing these things can improve our confidence, give us things to talk about and can help us meet people and make friends. Learning something new can also give us a sense of achievement. Sometimes moving away from home to university can make this difficult as we may have moved away from a club or group that we used to be part of; if this is the case take some time to look up groups in your new area – either the internet or local social media pages are good sources of information on groups you can join and activities you can partake in.

Set yourself a challenge

Setting yourself a challenge and achieving your goals can help you feel accomplished and boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. It doesn’t matter if your challenge is to walk around the block or to climb a mountain; what matters is that it stretches you and you achieve something out of the ordinary.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation where we focus our attention on the present moment; becoming aware of our thoughts and feelings and the world around us. As we learn to be aware of our thoughts we can start to identify when they are not being helpful and can begin to challenge them and take back control.

Download the FIKA App

If you are a student at The College of Animal Welfare, you will get free access to the FIKA app, so make sure you have downloaded it. FIKA provides mental skills courses, daily videos and a vibrant online community to boost your resilience and increase your mental fitness.

If you are a student at The College of Animal Welfare – don’t forget to visit the living well page on the VLE for more help and advice.

What should you do if you are struggling?

If you are struggling, please do not suffer in silence, help is available and the sooner you address your feelings the quicker you can get back to a better place. For some of us, we may be feeling a little low and with a few adjustments (based on the suggestions above for keeping mentally well) we can quickly start to see improvements. For others, our struggles may be more severe and professional help may be needed; speaking to your GP is always a good start as they can refer you to sources of help as needed. Other suggestions can be found below.

Coping strategies

Sometimes we may find ourselves in an acute state of anxiety or feeling very low in mood. In these situations it is helpful to have a few key coping strategies that can help keep you safe and get you through the peak of the situation. What works for one person may not work for another so it is important to know what is best for you – it is helpful to write a list down to you have it to hand if needed. Examples of coping/soothing strategies that can help include having a long bath, wrapping yourself in a fluffy or weighted blanket, watch your favourite film or TV series, listen to a podcast, colouring in an adult colouring book, practice mindfulness and meditation, go for a walk.

Help available at The College of Animal Welfare

If you are a student at the College, there are several sources of support internally. We offer a free counselling service for students, and have a dedicated Mental Health Lead and Safeguarding team who you can turn to for help and support; details of these can be found on the Living Well/Mental Wellbeing section of the VLE.

Help in a crisis

The Samaritans are open 245 hours a day, 365 days per year, you can call them on 116123. If you are worried about the imminent safety of yourself or someone else you should call 999 for help.

Useful links

There are many organisations and charities that provide information, help and advice; a selection can be found below.

• Student Minds– The UK’s student mental health charity
• Staying Safe– a potentially life-saving resource to keep people safe from thoughts of harm and suicide.
• Anxiety UK– a charity providing support for those with an anxiety condition.
• CALM– Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 – 35.
• BEAT Eating disorders– support and advice for those living with an eating disorder.

What to do if you are concerned about a fellow student?

If you are worried about a fellow student you should contact the College’s Mental Health Lead or, in their absence, a member of the learning support team or a safeguarding officer. Details of these can be found on the College’s VLE.

Signs you may notice in a classmate that may indicate they might be struggling or unsafe include anything that is out of character, such as being withdrawn, irritable, not responding to messages, missing lessons or deadlines, or someone who seems particularly agitated and wired.

Together we are stronger, together we can make a difference this #UniMentalHealthDay.

1. Department of Health PA, Health Improvement and Protection (2011). Start Active, Stay Active: A report on physical activity from the four home countries’ Chief Medical Officers. London: Department of Health.

Whether you’re an expert at wound management, extra knowledgeable about animal nutrition, or love learning about feline nursing, as a veterinary nurse you may have skills and knowledge you take particular pride in. Why not share it with others?

Sharing your professional skills as a veterinary nurse is a fantastic opportunity to make connections with other nurses, develop your professional practice, and channel a sense of fulfilment by sharing something that is important to you and inspiring to others. Sharing your veterinary nursing skills also allows you focus more on your professional passions, and reflect on the areas you may wish to build on.

As they say, sharing is caring – and you may just pick up some new skills and boost your career prospects along the way! Here, we go through five ways you can spread your knowledge and share your skills with others:

1. Skill swap with other veterinary nurses

Skill sharing is when you provide someone with help, and then go to them for support in return. Every veterinary nurse will have their own particular strengths and skills, so it’s worth networking with other nurses and coming together to learn from each other. Sharing ideas and knowledge with fellow nurses can be a great way to make use of each other’s professional strengths and interests, to enhance your existing skills or learn new ones.

It may be you find a member of your team nurse has a keen interest in exotic species, or knows a lot about how to treat diabetic patients. If a fellow nurse is a fountain of knowledge on a specific subject, it is worth arranging a time to sit down to exchange ideas and pick each other’s brains.  

It can also be helpful to attend CPD with members of your team with shared professional interests, so you can discuss what was covered in the session together.

2. Take to a blog, vlog or social media

When you want to learn something new, where is the first place you go? In the digital world, it is likely you take to Google to find educational websites or videos about the topic. So, if you’re passionate about a specific area of veterinary nursing, have you considered starting your own website, blog or vlog where you document your knowledge and experiences?

Social media is also a brilliant platform for skill sharing, and can put you in touch with those who have similar interests – you can share skills and make connections in nursing forums such as VetNurse or social media groups like Vet Nurse Chatter, or even start your own community! If you’re looking for some inspiration to get started, take a look at some of the amazing veterinary nurses sharing knowledge online, such as Lou the Vet Nurse, Alex the Cat Nurse, Scales, Feathers and Tails VN, The Rodent Nurse and many more!

3. Pass on your knowledge in a teaching role or by speaking at events

Teaching is a wonderful way to share your skills and knowledge with other nurses, or help student veterinary nurses to gain their formal qualifications. Plus, it’s another way to make an income from your passion.

It may be worth seeking out opportunities to share your skills in a teaching capacity, whether this is by leading on a nursing consultation or teaching on a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course or veterinary nursing programme. Not only will this allow you to share your skills, but it could also help you get a feel for how you take to teaching, if this something you have considered as a career path in the past. You can find out more about becoming a veterinary nursing lecturer here. Sharing your skills via teaching could also give you the opportunity to undertake further training. For example, some Veterinary nurses pursuing teaching roles who do not hold a degree may look to ‘top up’ their diploma to degree level by undertaking the BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Top Up Programme.

Another way to share your experiences is by speaking to local community groups, or attending career fairs such as Careers With Animals Day, to educate the public about your work and the veterinary nursing profession as a whole!

4. Become a clinical coach

Supporting a student veterinary nurse through their formal training can be a great way to pass on your expertise. Explaining concepts, demonstrating practical skills and answering questions from a student in practice can help you review and improve your clinical skills, as well as identify any weak spots in your own professional practice you may wish to return to.

Often, it’s not just the student who learns something new during the training process. Your mentoring can expose you to new ideas and ways of thinking that will aid your personal and professional growth. You could also undertake further training by attending congresses such as Clinical Coach Congress, or even study professional coaching and mentoring qualifications to develop new coaching and mentoring skills to share with other clinical coaches. Find out more about becoming a Clinical Coach

5. Volunteer at home or abroad

There are veterinary organisations all over the world in need of qualified VNs to volunteer their nursing skills! Volunteering can be a good opportunity to travel whilst gaining valuable new experiences, nurturing professional skills and helping animals in amazing places.

Depending on what organisation you choose to volunteer for, your experience may allow you to teach others, apply your expertise to unusual cases, deal with less common species or gain additional knowledge to take back home and share with others. For example, one of our former students, Carly, has made several visits to Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre in Indonesia since qualifying as a veterinary nurse with us in 2019, to volunteer and learn more about exotic wildlife – you can read more about Carly’s experiences here.

Safer Internet Day 2022 is on 8th February. This year, the theme is ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’.

The college would like to take this day as an opportunity to take a moment to consider the importance of maintaining professional boundaries both in your professional and personal online presence, keeping your online reputation in tip top condition in addition to some more general online safety topics and best practices.

Use your social media algorithms to avoid doom scrolling and share pro social content

It doesn’t take long for your social media page to get to know you and understand what kind of content you like – you can use this to your advantage! You have the power to get content that sparks your interests delivered directly to your feed. Then you can pay it forward by sharing your findings with your community, fulfilling a sense of purpose in raising awareness about topics which are important to you and others may be grateful to receive.

Obviously, we are not suggesting you totally spam every single one of your online pal’s inboxes, just if you stumble upon content that may interest them and ignite their curiosity, do a little sharing to raise.  In addition to this, light and cheery content can lift people’s moods. Social media, as we all know has its downfalls, but used correctly you can create a positive, safe space to interact with those who matter most to you.

Do the vibe check before you get involved

Try to avoid heavy debates online that feel like they will not have a valuable outcome. Comments can often be misinterpreted and they can become quite damaging if they escalate and the crowd in the discussion are unpleasant.

That said, it is important to have your own values and opinions and are free to explore these (provided they are not from a place of bad intentions). You may see discussions you feel strongly about and want to have an input, but you can see it might go badly. In these instances, to save yourself from getting into a stressful situation, perhaps try to look for more discussions or content surrounding this topic that sits better with your own views to avoid getting dragged into any unpleasant online interactions.

If you have something you want to discuss at depth, speak with someone you know and respect. It is far better an investment to have valuable conversations to build relationships with people who matter to you opposed to strangers online.   

Kindness is crucial

Being a kind and supportive person is incredibly valuable for our online reputation, we cannot stress enough how important it is to not be mean online!

Any form of bullying will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action form a college point of view. Students on professionally regulated programmes need to be aware of both the criminal implications and regulatory implications of misuse of social media and cyberbullying.

We all have rights and responsibilities in relation to cyber-bullying and should work positively together to create an environment in which you can learn and develop whilst having fulfilling careers free from harassment and bullying.

Online hate is also an area we can intervene to create safer spaces online, if you see inappropriate material or online hate, it is important we take action, report it or flag it so the moderators have to go in and check the content out. 

Share with care!

Be aware that your reputation could be harmed not only by what you share online, but what others share about you, such as friends tagging you in inappropriate posts, photographs, or videos. Ensure your privacy settings are set in a way that you need to approve any content you are tagged in prior to it appearing on your socials. Be aware that your social media friends may also be friends with fellow students, colleagues or family members and therefore they could read your posts if you do not have appropriate privacy settings.

As part of our Privacy Policy, students are not permitted take screen shots during any online session or learning activity. You need permission to take pictures of someone, so it is safest if you continue to adopt this policy in other professional online activity. Be cautious when sharing your screen online, ensure any private/personal information or documents are not shared by mistake.

Appropriate material

Don’t post or share (even privately) inappropriate or offensive material on your social media platforms or with anyone from your college or workplace. Online communication can appear to come with a false sense of anonymity that doesn’t exist when you are talking to someone face to face. Ask yourself, would you share this in person in a professional capacity?

Revenge Porn

Revenge Porn is the illegal act of sharing of private, sexual materials, either photos or videos, of another person, without their consent and with the purpose of causing distress.

The offence applies both online and offline and to images which are shared electronically or in a more traditional way so includes the uploading of images on the internet, sharing by text and e-mail, or showing someone a physical or electronic image. If you are concerned over revenge porn or would like to find out more, information or support can be found here.

Netiquette

The rules of etiquette are just as important in the virtual world as they are in the real world. It is important to recognise that poor netiquette can stick around to haunt you. We have collated some basic rules of netiquette to avoid damaging your reputation along with jeopardising your online and offline relationships. Click here to view our Netiquette Guidance.

If you are being bullied online?

If you are ever bullied online please:

• Do not respond or retaliate to any cyber-bullying incidents. You should report incidents appropriately and seek support from your line manager or a member of College staff.
• Save evidence of the abuse; take screen prints of messages or web pages and record the time and date.
• If the perpetrator is known to be a current student or colleague, the majority of cases will be dealt with through their online policies and procedures.
• The matter may involve reporting the matter to the relevant social networking site if it breaches their terms, seeking guidance from the local authority, legal advisers and involving law enforcement agencies.
• If the comments are threatening or abusive, discriminatory, of a sexual nature or are likely to constitute a hate crime, then you or the College may contact the police. Online harassment is a crime and will be treated as such.

General safe practice points to note

• Consider your own conduct online.  Certain behaviour could breach your contract of employment or your professional body regulations and lead to disciplinary action.
• Only discuss certain issues with your close family, friends and colleagues, as you could become a target if you do not have appropriate security and privacy settings in place.
• Use your College email address for college business and your personal email address for your private life; do not mix the two.
• If you are a student, staff member or employer here at the College you can gain access to our free online safety training on our VLE (virtual learning environment) here.
• Further information surrounding e safety at college can be found

Save the date because Head Nurse Congress is back on Thursday 5th May 2022, and tickets are on sale now! 

Head Nurse Congress is aimed at aspiring, new and experienced head veterinary nurses and practice managers. 

During this *virtual* event you’ll get the opportunity to listen to a range of talks from expert speakers and gain 8 hours of evidenced CPD, all from the comfort of home. This year’s programme highlights include: 

• Anne-Marie Svendsen Aylott MRCVS from PurpleCat Coaching Ltd. starting congress with a talk all about emotional intelligence skills, explaining how to support yourself and others in trying times
• Gemma Barmby BVetMed MRCVS from Vet Dynamics discussing how to juggle your managerial and clinical workloads
• Jessica May MRCVS and Silvia Janska MRCVS from Flexee answering the questions everyone is asking about flexible working
• Claire Hodgson BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS from British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support (BVCIS) delivering a presentation about how to support the return to work journey
• Chris White BSc (Hons), MBA, Assoc CIPD from the Veterinary Management Group & Pets At Home Veterinary Group, speaking about how to embrace change
• Dr Libby Kemkaran-Thompson MA VetMB MRCVS from Kemkaran Consulting Ltd discussing confidence for leadership, looking at how to trust and inspire

Book Head Nurse Congress before 11 March 2022 for an early bird discount

Delegates who book their place before 11 March 2022 can attend congress for the early bird price of £125+VAT – saving £60. A full event agenda, and further details about how to book, can be found on our website or by calling 01480 422060.

View the agenda and book your place today

As a veterinary nursing student there are lots of expenses to think about.

You might be surprised how quickly it all adds up once you get to college or university – especially when you’re settling into student life, or if this is the first time you’re responsible for managing your own money. Some SVNs may also have the added challenge of making their money last during unpaid placement blocks in veterinary practice.

According to the 2019 UCAS Freshers’ Experience Survey, almost a fifth of students (18%) said that financial concerns had impacted their mental health or wellbeing, while 6% of university dropouts were finance-related.

Here, we’re discussing some of the simple ways you can get a hold on your finances and make your money go further:

1. Create a budget

As a starting point, creating a simple budget showing what your income and outgoings will be, can give you an insight into where your money is going and where you can cut back or spend more effectively.

Your budget should cover and prioritise regular, ongoing expenses (such as rent, utilities, food, travel and phone bill). It should also include any one-off or annual costs (for example a gym membership or books). You should also consider opening a savings account and putting some money aside every payday, if you are able to do so – this is so you can begin to build an emergency fund, which will come in handy on rainy days, or funds for any future plans.

If you are not sure where to start, look at your recent bank statements. There are also lots of student budget calculators and finance guides online that will give you a rough guide to what your key income and outgoings may look like.

2. Use money saving hacks to stick to your budget

Creating a budget is an important step, but sticking to it can be a bit more complicated. It is easier said than done, especially when one-off unexpected expenses come along and take you by surprise. However, here we’ll go through some hacks that may help you stick to your budget:

Food

• Reduce your food bill by buying and cooking in bulk, and freezing leftovers to reduce food waste
• Don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry, as you’re more likely to impulse buy. Instead, plan your meals for the week, create a shopping list and stick to it
• Consider cheaper supermarkets such as Lidl or Aldi, or use apps like Too Good to Go to get otherwise wasted food at bargain prices

Lifestyle

• Challenge yourself to spend free days
• Buy second hand books and make use of any library services at your college/university
• Consider selling any unwanted clothes and books

Household

• Use comparison websites to get the best deals on utilities such as broadband and gas/electricity
• Look for low cost or free furnishings on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or Ebay

Travel tips

• Invest in a 16-25 railcard or young person’s coach card

To get more tips and advice about how to save money, visit Save the Student and Money Saving Expert.

3. Remove temptations to impulse buy

Whether it be the shopping apps sitting on our phone only a few taps away, or the targeted ads you see all over social media – there are lots of outside forces encouraging us to spend money, and it can be difficult to block them out. That said, there are steps you can take to try to curb the urge to impulse buy. You can mute retailers and brands on social media, unsubscribe from email lists, and delete your card details from your browser.

If something is tempting you, leave it and see if you still want it after a few days. Finally, stay away from the big sales such as Black Friday unless it’s for something you really need and you can afford the item.

4. Track your spending

Many banks allow you to manage your finances from a mobile app. For example, you can set up alerts to give you balance updates, or let you know if your balance falls below a certain amount. By doing this, you can see exactly where your money is going, and ensure you’re on track until your next student loan or payday. If you’re not, you can amend your budget accordingly.

5. Speak to college or university services

Speak to your college/university services if you’re struggling, as they will be able to offer advice that is specific to your circumstances, and signpost you to further support if needed. They may also be able to point you in the direction of financial support you may be eligible for, for example the CAW Student Hardship Fund or grants.

Veterinary Nurse Training at The College of Animal Welfare

If you’re interested in training as a veterinary nurse, we offer a range of veterinary nurse qualifications. The College of Animal Welfare is one of the largest veterinary nurse training providers in the UK. We have centres in Huntingdon, Leeds, North London, Wigan, County Durham, Solihull and Edinburgh. Find out more about our veterinary nursing programmes

Further Reading

• Interested in training as veterinary nurse? Find out more here 
• Download our Veterinary Nursing Career Guide

Book before 11 February 2022 for the Early Bird rate!

With everything on social media available at our fingertips, it is difficult to imagine a world without it – apps like Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram and Twitter have become a huge part of our lives.

Social media offers us lots of new ways to connect, however; you may find that sometimes you see things on social media that make you feel angry, worried, sad or stressed. If left unaddressed, these feelings can build up and begin to negatively impact your mood in everyday life. According to recent research by NHS Digital, 17% of 11-16 year olds said the number of likes, shares and comments they got on social media affected their mood.*

If you ever feel like you’re unable to switch off, or find it difficult to cope with the negativity you can find on social media, you’re not alone. We all struggle to keep our virtual spaces positive sometimes. Here, we’re explaining some of the ways you can manage your social media use, so that you can begin to create social media habits that better protect your wellbeing. Let’s make a start:

1. Think carefully before you post

It can be tempting to take to social media in the heat of the moment, however; it’s important to carefully think about your content before you put it up for others to see. This is because, in the digital world, it is much more difficult to take back your words. People will see what you post and with the ability to screenshot and share content, simple deleting a poster later on may not be enough to remove it if you later regret what you shared.

2. Keep your corner of the internet positive

You can help keep your relationship with social media positive by posting positive content and avoiding trolls and disrespectful online debates. Think about whether the content you wish to share – whether it be an article, post or video – is helpful or harmful to others.

3. Be selective about what’s on your social feed

In the same way that you want to keep your own feed positive, it’s important to be selective about who you follow, so that you’re not being exposed to content that makes you feel bad. If someone’s posts consistently make you feel bad about yourself or make you feel angry and frustrated, don’t hesitate to unfriend or unfollow that person.

4. Check your sources

In a space where anyone can publish anything, it can be harder to find reputable sources of news and information. According to research by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 70% of UK participants were concerned about what is real or fake on the internet, with 15% saying they have been exposed to completely made up news.* So, it’s important to be conscious of what you’re sharing and make sure any news you post to your friends or followers is accurate. 

5. Look to other people’s posts for inspiration rather than comparison

Social media is a place where many people publically celebrate their successes and capture the very best moments of their lives for the world to see. When all you see is the happy, fun and exciting highlights of someone’s life, it can make your own daily life seem worse by comparison and feed into feelings of inadequacy, isolation or Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these snippets aren’t representative of someone’s full life, and the person posting them has problems and struggles like everyone else. So, rather than directly comparing your life to someone’s sparkly social media feed, looking to these posts as inspiration to work towards your own goals could be a healthier way to view posts on social media.

Click here to continue reading and gain more advice…

For those aspiring to an exciting career working with animals, animal apprenticeships could be an excellent way to gain hands on experience with animals, pick up practical skills and knowledge and earn a wage – all at the same time.

Here, we go through everything you need to know about apprenticeships working with animals. Let’s get started:

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a training programme where you gain practical skills and knowledge by working in a real job, whilst studying a nationally recognised programme at the same time. In many cases, you will also study towards a recognised qualification as part of your programme of study. Simply put, you get paid, you get experience and you get a complete qualification that is relevant to your role!

You will be employed within an organisation and a designated college will then support you in completing your apprenticeship.

Quick facts

• Get paid: An apprentice must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices if they are under 19 years of age, and in the first year of their apprenticeship for anyone over the age of 19 (thereafter the normal national minimum wage applies).* Employers can choose to pay more if they wish, and many apprentices earn more than this.
• Get a real job – Apprenticeships can be full time or part-time.
• Full time course: The minimum length of an apprenticeship is 12 months but many last longer than this.
• Any age: There is no upper age limit for studying an apprenticeship, but you must be at least 16 years of age to start.
• Study at work: A minimum of 6 hours per week of your time at work will be spent on “off-the-job” training. Find out more about off-the-job training
• Level of study: Apprenticeships start from level 2 and go up to degree level. Many apprentices begin at level 2 and work their way up as they gain experience.

Delivery and assessment

Apprenticeship courses can be delivered in many different ways. Common terms that you may come across include:

• Day release: Attend college one day per week
• Block Release: Attend college in blocks, for example
  one week at college every month
• Blended Learning: Study both online and in college
• Distance Learning: Study outside of the classroom using online materials, with virtual support from a tutor
• Work-based Learning: Learn in the workplace full-time and receive support from an assessor.
• Functional skills: In addition to the main qualification selected, Functional Skills qualifications in English, Maths will also be studied if you are under 19 years of age, unless exempt.

Apprenticeships are assessed by a combination of methods. These may include observations, reflective logs, a portfolio, written assessments and examinations. Additionally, all apprentices in England are assessed at the end of their training via an End Point Assessment (EPA).

EPAs are different for each apprenticeship, however they usually include:

• a practical assessment
• a project
• an interview and presentation
• written or multiple choice tests

Who are apprenticeships for?

Contrary to popular belief, apprenticeships aren’t just for people new to a job! They are a great path for people at any stage of their career – from those re-entering the workforce, to those wanting to reskill or change careers.

So, if you’re considering a career working with animals, perhaps after years of working in a completely different field, studying an apprenticeship could be your ticket to a new role in the animal industry.

In order to undertake an apprenticeship in England, you need to be:

• Aged 16 years or over
• Living and working in England
• Not already in full time education

Additional entry requirements vary depending on the job and apprenticeship course in question.

What kind of animal apprenticeships are available?

Whether you’re interested in caring for animals in a veterinary practice as a veterinary nurse, working with dogs in a dog grooming salon or looking after cats in a cattery – there are apprenticeships available in many animal related subjects, that can help you achieve your career goals. Here at The College of Animal Welfare, we offer animal apprenticeships in:

• Veterinary Nursing
• Equine Veterinary Nursing
• Veterinary Care
• Dog Grooming
• Animal Care
• Horse Care

What are the benefits of animal apprenticeships?

For those aspiring to an exciting career working with animals, undertaking an animal apprenticeship could be an excellent way to get started. Take a look at the key reasons why an apprenticeship could be the perfect career move…

• Professional training and qualification Some apprenticeships offer the opportunity to study towards a trusted, industry qualification as part of your programme of study. More than this, you’ll pick up professional skills that are recognised and respected by employers.
• Bright career prospects Many apprentices stay with their employer, gaining more responsibility and a higher salary! According to research by the National Apprenticeship Service, 85% of apprentices will remain in employment on completion of their apprenticeship, with 64% of those staying with the same employer.*
• No course fees Your course and training fees will be covered by your employer. You won’t have to pay a penny!
• Develop networks You will gain amazing insight into your industry and develop professional networks!
• Pave the way to higher study Many apprentices go on to study a higher level apprenticeship, or study at university.
• Become one of the team You will receive a regular income, paid holiday and all the other benefits that come with a job!

Is an animal apprenticeship right for you?

Is working with animals for me?

Before pursuing any new job or career, it’s important to do your research, to make sure that the career you’re interested in fits with your personal qualities, goals and ambitions. You can decide whether a career working with animals is for you by:

• Attending careers events and college open days
• Taking a short class or course in animal care
• Researching careers with animals online
• Gaining experience working with animals
• Asking people who’re already working in the animal industry

Read our blog post about deciding if working with animals is for you

Is apprenticeship training for me?

Apprenticeship training can be an effective way to get a foot in the door on a new career; however, they aren’t the right path for everyone. You should consider factors such as:

• Finances: How will you cover the cost of living as an apprentice?
• Transport: How will you get to work or to college? You may need to consider travelling or relocating for the right opportunity.
• Finding a role: Apprenticeships working with animals can be competitive, so you may have to be willing to wait for the right role, or be proactive in finding a position yourself.

How to Find an Apprenticeship Working With Animals

The first step to becoming an apprentice is gaining employment. There are several ways you can do this:

• Search via the Find an Apprenticeship service. Most apprenticeship vacancies are displayed on the ‘Find an apprenticeship’ website. This website is where training providers post apprenticeship vacancies. On this website you can search by location or keywords to find your ideal vacancy. Once you have found an apprenticeship that interests you, create an account via the website to apply!
• Sign up for our apprenticeship email alerts to be the first to hear about new apprenticeship vacancies.
• Search for apprenticeship vacancies in your local newspaper or online using websites such as Indeed or Reed.
• Attend free careers events run by your local school, library or job centre, to discuss the apprenticeship vacancies available locally.
• Contact companies directly and find out if they would consider taking on an apprentice.

Once you have found a suitable position you can then contact the training provider to arrange starting the apprenticeship.

How to Choose the Right Animal Apprenticeship for you

All apprenticeships are a little bit different, so it’s crucial to do your research to ensure you find the best apprenticeship for you.

Whilst apprenticeships come with lots of opportunity, you also have to appreciate that you’ll be starting a new job and getting to grips with studying a programme. So, it’s an important decision to make – no matter what path you want to follow, always do you research first.

Key points to investigate 

• What is the apprenticeship and job role – does it fit what you’re looking for?
• Find out about the employer – is it the type of company you want to work for?
• Find out about the training providers, colleges, or universities that offer animal apprenticeships, and where you could be studying.
• What qualifications, subjects, and grades are they looking for?
• What essential and desirable skills and experience do they ask for, and what qualities are they are looking for in applicants?
• For you, what are the three most and least positive aspects of this apprenticeship or job opportunity?

Applying for Animal Apprenticeships

Animal apprenticeships can be really competitive. Once you’ve found a suitable apprenticeship for you, it’s important to make sure your application is up to scratch ready for your application.

CV Writing

CV writing skills are key for job seekers looking to increase their employability prospects. Master them, and you’ll be on the way to landing your chosen apprenticeship. Your CV is one of the most important professional documents you produce – but it’s also one of the most difficult to get right. It needs to look professional, be easy to read and show off the best of your skills and experience. Take a look at our comprehensive advice and CV writing tips

Interviewing

If you’ve been invited to interview, this is your chance to show the organisation what you have to offer and why they should pick you to undertake their animal apprenticeship. You are likely to feel a little nervous about your interview – don’t worry, this is normal! However there are several things you can do in advance to help you feel more prepared:

• Research the organisation. What size are they? What products or services do they offer? Have they recently won any awards or accreditations? Often checking out their website is a good place to start, they may even have a ‘News page’ so you can see their latest activities!
• Check the location of the interview and plan how you are going to get there. Aim to arrive 10 minutes early so you don’t feel rushed. Make sure you allow for any traffic delays.
• Have your interviewers contact details to hand, this means that if you are unexpectedly delayed you can call ahead to let your interviewer know.
• Most interviewers will ask if you have any questions. Prepare some questions that you want to ask.
• Consider typical interview questions (as below) and prepare your answers. Where possible give example of things that you have done that show you have the right skills for the role.

Interview questions fall into four main categories:

• Questions about you
• Work experience and knowledge questions
• Questions about why you want THIS job
• Competency-based questions about the role.

Things to think about on the day:

• Be clean and presentable. Dress code should be smart formal, therefore you should try and avoid casual clothing!
• Take a pen and notebook with you – your mobile should not be on display and be on silent during the interview.
• Be attentive. Smile and shake hands with the interviewer.
• When answering questions speak clearly and don’t swear! Take your time to answer the question, if necessary take a deep breath and pause rather than jump in with an answer. If you are unsure of the question then ask for clarification.
• Once the interview has been completed don’t forget to thank the interviewer for their time and ask when a decision is likely to be made.

Additional Apprenticeship Resources

• Apprenticeships at CAW
• Off-the-job training guidance for apprentices
• Government Apprenticeship Finder

Please note that the information in this post is correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.

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