Level 3 Keeper and Aquarist Apprenticeship – Standard

The role of a Zoo Keeper or Aquarist will include:

• Interpreting diet Sheets, preparing and delivering Animal feeds
• Servicing, cleaning and managing Animal environments
• Providing Species specific habitats and routines for animals in line with their natural history
• Observing and understanding Animal behaviour, Animal Health and Welfare, recording and reporting findings
• Checking enclosure and other work areas for potential or existing hazards
• Engaging with visitors and stakeholders, tailoring information to the audience

Keepers and aquarists assist and adhere to the zoological collections and industry best practice, law, protocols and procedures in relation to animal husbandry, welfare, transportation and work health and safety. They will learn about and understand the role of key stakeholders in their area of work.

Length of Programme

24 months prior to End-point Assessment Gateway

Please see the Institute for Apprenticeship website for further information

Keeper and aquarist / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

• Experience volunteering or working within the animal care sector
• Good work ethic
• Be in employment and be committed to your career
• Desirably three GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English and Maths
• (Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.)

The apprentice will follow a training programme to complete the apprenticeship requirements and meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for them to be fully competent:

• The apprentice works and trains with the employer and/or training provider
• The apprentice will create and maintain a mandatory portfolio in order to provide supporting evidence that will be needed to supplement the knowledge, skills and behaviours observed by the Independent Assessor at the End-point Assessment. The portfolio will be used as evidence for the professional discussion.
• A record of off-the-job training – this is training that must occur for a minimum of 20% of the time the apprentice is paid to work and is training delivered outside of their normal working duties – to develop a wider understanding of the industry.

Criteria

Please see the Institute for Apprenticeship website for further information

Keeper and aquarist / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Learning will take place in a variety of ways, which could include workplace training, formal courses, work shadowing, industrial visits, research, self-study, attendance at College for classroom/workshop activities and time spent completing assignments set by the assessor.

The apprentice will undertake their end-point assessment when the employer, training provider and apprentice all consider that they are ready to do so.  This stage of the apprenticeship is known as the gateway and will not be reached until the apprentice has completed at least 24 months on the programme. 

The end-point assessment will be carried out by an independent assessor and will be made up of a practical observation (2 hours) and a professional discussion informed by the completed portfolio.

The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace and on-site – flexible delivery can be considered. 

You need PPE for the workplace and writing materials.

End-point Assessment Gradings

This qualification is graded Fail, Pass or Distinction

Functional Skills

Before taking the end-point assessment, apprentices must

• Have Level 2 English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grades A* to C)

Further Study

You can progress to a full-time Level 3 or degree programme in Animal Care programme or a further apprenticeship programme.

You can progress into employment

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk