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L2Apprenticeship3321 approved provider
The Level 2 Animal Care And Welfare Assistant, and the 1 provider delivering it.
Looking after the routine day to day care of domestic and/or wild animals.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn the practical skills needed to care for domestic and wild animals across a range of settings. Training covers routine husbandry, feeding, health monitoring and safe handling, alongside animal welfare legislation and biosecurity procedures. Apprentices also develop the underpinning knowledge of animal behaviour needed to recognise signs of distress or illness. The qualification includes a core component plus one specialist option, chosen from areas such as wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary care support, breeding, rehoming, or working dog handling.
Day-to-day responsibilities
A typical week involves cleaning and maintaining animal housing, preparing and delivering feed, monitoring animal condition and recording observations, and handling animals safely during routine care. Depending on the chosen option, additional tasks might include supporting veterinary procedures, assessing animals for rehoming, transporting animals, or assisting customers in a retail or reception setting. Work takes place in all weather conditions and may include early starts, late finishes, or weekend shifts.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship opens roles across kennels and catteries, animal welfare charities, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centres, farm parks, veterinary practices, and pet retail. Common job titles include animal care assistant, kennel assistant, zoo keeping assistant, wildlife rehabilitation assistant, and veterinary care assistant. From here, many progress to a Level 3 Animal Care and Management apprenticeship or specialist qualifications in areas such as zoo animal management or veterinary nursing, moving towards senior keeper, welfare officer, or supervisory positions.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Bishop Burton College
Employer: 4.0
Bishop Burton College is a specialist land-based and technical education provider offering a wide ra...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically move into entry-level positions working directly with animals in a defined setting. Common job titles include Kennel Assistant, Cattery Assistant, Animal Welfare Assistant, Pet Retail Assistant, Animal Day Care Assistant, Farm Park Assistant, Zoo Keeper Assistant, Wildlife Rehabilitation Assistant and Veterinary Care Assistant. The option chosen during the apprenticeship, such as Wildlife Rehabilitation or Veterinary Care Support, often shapes which of these roles is the best immediate fit.
Progression paths
With a few years of experience, assistants often progress to senior or supervisory versions of their role, such as Senior Kennel Hand, Animal Technician, or Animal Centre Supervisor. Those who pursue veterinary care support may work towards a Level 3 Veterinary Nurse qualification. Wildlife and zoo pathways can lead to Keeper or Senior Keeper positions. Leadership tracks open routes into Centre Manager roles, while specialists may move into animal behaviour support, breeding coordination, or compliance and welfare inspection work.
Where these roles sit
Private boarding kennels and catteries, local authority animal services, animal rescue and rehoming charities, pet retail chains, laboratory animal facilities regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, zoo and farm park attractions, veterinary practices, and wildlife rehabilitation centres all hire at this level. Roles exist across the country, with charities and local councils forming a significant part of the employer base alongside private operators of varying sizes.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place on the job, with the apprentice building competence in animal care and welfare routines while working alongside experienced colleagues. Before moving to final assessment, both the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has reached the required standard, a stage commonly called the gateway. Final assessment then checks whether the apprentice can apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the role, including the specialist option chosen, such as wildlife rehabilitation or veterinary care support. Assessment models for many Level 2 standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Because work in this area varies by setting and species, keeping records of real tasks throughout the programme matters more than trying to gather evidence at the end. Apprentices should document the range of animals they work with, the husbandry routines they carry out, and any situations where they have taken responsibility for welfare or safety decisions. Regular reviews with the employer and training provider help identify gaps early, leaving enough time to address them before gateway.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
A strong provider for this standard will have an achievement rate above 65%, ideally above 75%, and a track record across at least two or three of the available pathway options rather than just the most common ones. Look for tutors and assessors with hands-on animal care backgrounds, not just training qualifications. Employer satisfaction scores on the FATP profile matter here because on-site practice is central to the role. Learner reviews mentioning real handling experience, species variety, and clear off-the-job structure are a positive sign. Providers covering your region with established employer relationships in relevant settings carry practical weight.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers with high learner volumes but a falling achievement rate over successive years. If a provider can only deliver one or two of the eight pathway options, they may be limiting progression routes unnecessarily. Vague answers about what off-the-job training actually involves beyond worksheets and online modules should prompt further questions. For a standard built around physical husbandry and animal handling, providers without access to relevant facilities or placement networks are a concern. Low employer satisfaction scores on the FATP profile often indicate weak communication between the provider and the employer during delivery.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Which of the eight pathway options can you deliver, and how do you decide which pathway suits a particular apprentice and employer?
- What facilities or placement arrangements do you have for hands-on animal handling practice outside the employer's own site?
- How do your assessors stay current with animal welfare legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act and any sector-specific licensing requirements?
- What does a typical off-the-job training week look like for someone in a kennel or cattery setting compared to, say, a wildlife rehabilitation centre?
- Can you share your achievement rate for this standard over the last two years, and what do you put any drop-downs to?
- How do you support apprentices who work irregular hours or shifts in meeting their study commitments?
- What evidence can you point to of previous apprentices moving into more senior animal care roles after completing?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience do I need to start this apprenticeship?
There are no mandatory prior qualifications, though employers typically look for a genuine interest in animal care and some practical experience, whether from volunteering, work experience, or keeping pets. Apprentices must be employed in a relevant role for the duration of the programme. Some employers may ask for GCSEs in English and Maths, or require apprentices to work towards functional skills in these subjects during the apprenticeship.
How long will an apprentice be working and training, and what does the time commitment look like?
The typical duration is 12 months, though the actual length depends on the individual's prior learning and how quickly they demonstrate competence. Apprentices are employed throughout and learn on the job, with time set aside for off-the-job training. The minimum duration and off-the-job requirements are subject to ongoing reform under Skills England, so check the current specification on gov.uk for the latest figures before planning delivery.
How is the apprenticeship assessed and what does the end-point assessment involve?
Before completing, apprentices must pass through a gateway, at which point the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. The end-point assessment tests occupational competence, though the exact format, such as practical observation, professional discussion, or portfolio review, is set out in the assessment plan. Assessment models for many standards are being updated, so check the current specification on gov.uk for the confirmed approach.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £5,000, which is the maximum government contribution towards training costs. Larger employers with an apprenticeship levy account use levy funds to pay. SMEs without a levy account co-invest with government, typically contributing 5% of the training cost, with government covering the rest. If you employ fewer than 50 staff and take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, the government covers the full training cost.
What does an apprentice in this role actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work covers feeding, cleaning, and monitoring the health of animals, following care routines set by senior staff. The tasks vary by setting: a kennel assistant might walk and groom dogs, a wildlife rehabilitation assistant might prepare feeds and monitor recovery, and a pet retail assistant might advise customers and maintain stock. Apprentices also complete records, follow health and safety procedures, and handle animals safely. The specific option chosen shapes which additional tasks and skills are covered.
What can an apprentice progress to after completing this standard?
Completing this apprenticeship opens routes into more specialist or senior animal care roles. Progression options include a Level 3 apprenticeship such as Animal Technologist, Land-based Service Engineer, or Veterinary Nursing, depending on the work setting. Some apprentices move into supervisory positions or develop a specialism in areas such as wildlife rehabilitation, breeding, or veterinary care support. Further qualifications in animal science or related subjects are also an option for those wanting to progress into technical or degree-level study.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 332.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.