Tom Costello
Study Type: School Leaver Vocational
Study Location: Broomfield Hall
Subject Studied: Animal Care
Animal care course helped open doors for farm park manager Tom
Farm park manager and former Derby College Group Animal Care student Tom Costello has always been an animal person.
He said: “Steve Irwin, Jurassic Park, reptiles, I was into them all when I was growing up. I was that young lad with the extensive dinosaur collection, which I’ve still got!
“When I was 15, I went to a Derby College event at Chesterfield Stadium, mainly for the goody bags.
“That’s when I discovered Animal Care courses at Broomfield Hall and knew what I wanted to do next.”
Tom, now 30, is Animal Care Manager at White Post Farm, a farm park and small zoo in Newark.
He credits his Intermediate Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care and Advanced Technical Diploma in Animal Management – Level 3 at DCG for giving him the skills and knowledge he uses every day.
He added: “I liked all of my time at Broomfield but especially loved the practical sessions. They were very hands on.
“My favourite animal was the iguana that college had at the time. Not many colleges running animal courses have reptiles.
“Doing those courses opens up so many doors to the animal industry and gives you greater insight into it.
“It’s a tough industry to get into, though. After college, I worked part-time in a reptile shop but also in fast food outlets, until I was offered a job, initially yard work, at White Post.
“Our work isn’t all about cuddling animals; it can be demanding and stressful, such as when an animal you’re caring for passes away.
“We have early starts, but I wake up every morning knowing I’m in a job I love. I get to work with 70 different species alongside a great team of people.”
In his role, Tom meets many school parties and is always keen to recommend his course to those students living within travelling distance of Broomfield.
And the farm park maintains strong links with DCG. It recently assisted one of Tom’s former tutors with some continuing professional development, and Tom gives talks to Broomfield’s Animal Care students.
White Post Farm has a diverse mix of animal attractions, including rare and exotic breeds, farm livestock and small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
As well as its many visitor events, such as alpaca walks and school holiday summer clubs, it also does a lot of work in education and conservation.
I liked all of my time at Broomfield but especially loved the practical sessions.