We are very excited to announce that all three of our very first Level 3 Animal Care and Welfare Manager apprentices, Marnie, Soline and Rae, have achieved Distinction grades following their End Point Assessment (EPA) with VetSkill.
Throughout their apprenticeship, all three students demonstrated a high level of commitment, professionalism and capability, which was clearly reflected in the quality of their work and final outcomes.
Lesley Wilson, Head of Animal Care, commented on their achievement: “I am really impressed with all the hard work the apprentices have put in throughout their course to ensure they fully cover the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) by producing outstanding showcase portfolios. Their written work is a reflection of the achievements they have had at work making a difference to the businesses they are in, a point fully shared by their employers.
The support given by the VetSkill assessor helped put the apprentices at ease prior to the intense EPA comprising an observation and professional discussion – it helped them demonstrate their knowledge and ability and they all deserve the Distinction grades awarded”.
Reflecting on their journey, apprentice Marnie Goodman (pictured above) highlighted the personal confidence gained and the clarity of the assessment process:
“I enjoyed learning new skills that came with being a manager of a small team. I gained confidence that helped me complete my assessment to a high standard and knowledge that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career. I thought the assessment process was well organised; I had meetings beforehand where I could ask questions and understand how the day would go. I also had the opportunity to meet my assessor before my assessment. Overall, it all made me feel more confident”.
Apprentice Soline Smith (pictured above) spoke about how the apprenticeship supported their development, particularly when navigating challenging situations:
“Despite the initial challenges, my apprenticeship helped me grow stronger, more confident, and better equipped to manage difficult conversations and be able to adapt to different situations. Although I was nervous during my EPA, I felt confident enough to ask for clarification when I didn’t understand a question, and my assessor’s support put me at ease, helping me to give clearer answers.”
For apprentice Rae Green (pictured below), the programme offered both practical support and reassurance, particularly when balancing study requirements alongside full‑time work:
“When I first discussed signing up to the apprenticeship with CAW, I was apprehensive as I knew I needed to complete maths alongside the course. I have avoided applying for courses in the past dreading that people would judge me due to my problems with maths.
The tutors who helped me achieve my course had regular online meetings with me, setting me tasks that worked alongside my day-to-day tasks. This made the assignments relevant and helped me have a better understanding of my role within the workplace. These meetings were always supportive and helped me plan out my work.
Having allocated OTJ hours for assignment time really helped, as there was no additional pressure when already working full time. Both maths and animal-related tasks were explained in a way that made them relevant to my work, which helped me to understand them.
I could not have achieved the Level 3 qualification if it had not been for the staff at CAW. Their understanding, patience and encouragement helped me to gain confidence.”
The College of Animal Welfare offers animal care apprenticeships at levels 2 and 3 across England via online distance learning. Interested? Request a call back here and we will be in touch.