The College of Animal Welfare is delighted to announce it now offers a veterinary care support apprenticeship pathway (VCS), available as part of the Animal Care and Welfare Assistant level 2 apprenticeship standard launched in August 2018.
The addition of this pathway will provide a current, tailored training opportunity for those who currently work in a VCS role with little to no formal training, as well as a route into employment for people who want to work in a VCS role in the future.
Throughout the programme, apprentices will learn the skills, knowledge and experience needed to thrive as a VCA by undertaking on-the-job training in a veterinary practice. Apprenticeship materials will be delivered online via the college’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), with email and telephone support provided throughout the qualification by an allocated Distance Learning Tutor.
Government funding means that smaller practices (those with an annual payroll of less than £3 million) pay just £250 towards their apprentices’ training fees. What’s more – if the practice has less than 50 employees and their apprentice is under 19 years of age, there are no fees to pay and they’ll get a £1,000 grant too!
Nina De Franco, Head of Veterinary Studies at The College of Animal Welfare, said: “Veterinary Care Support professionals are essential members of today’s modern veterinary practice, working alongside surgeons and nurses to provide vital care to small animal patients. This pathway opens up a new training option for those working in veterinary support roles, as well as providing a training solution to employers that is current, relevant and fit for purpose.”
The new apprenticeship pathway is available now. To find out more about the new pathway visit www.caw.ac.uk/vc or call the college on 01480 422060.