Apprenticeship training course

Animal training instructor (level 4)

Planning, managing, delivering and reviewing the training of animals.

• Qualification level: 4 ; Equivalent to higher national certificate (HNC).
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Apprenticeship category: Agriculture, environmental and animal care
• Maximum funding: £10,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Animal training instructor
  • Assistance dog instructor
  • Dog trainer instructor including search and rescue
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Assess and maintain the health and welfare needs of animals, including physical, psychological, and emotional needs.
  • Assess and maintain the working environment to ensure it is safe and in accordance with relevant legislation, workplace policies and procedures.
  • Assess and maintain working practices to ensure they are safe and in accordance with relevant legislation, workplace policies and procedures.
  • Assess the risk of disease transmission and implement bio-security controls.
  • Complete a dynamic risk assessment and implement control measures.
  • Evaluate, manage, and make balanced decisions to address potentially conflicting demands of guardians, animal welfare and societal expectation.
  • Create and implement an evidence-based, accessible and individually tailored training plan that meet the needs of animals and their guardians and achieve desired outcomes.
  • Take 'case history' to determine the factors which may affect the progress and success of training.
  • Prepare the animal, resources, and environment for the training session to aid the achievement of agreed learning outcomes.
  • Monitor progress and modify training to meet required outcomes.
  • Reinforce desirable animal behaviours and avoid creating undesirable behaviours.
  • Create and maintain training records and reports in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
  • Communicate with animal guardians, colleagues, and professionals.
  • Apply the principles of learning theory, human behaviour change, instructional techniques, teaching and coaching to deliver training that meets the needs of guardians and achieves required training outcomes.
  • Support guardians to implement training.
  • Apply digital tools to assist in the ATI function.
  • Contribute to the development of sustainable organisational processes and practices.
  • Identify and evaluate advances in animal science, working practices and technology and incorporate into operational practice and reference into written reports.
  • Recognise when referral to another professional is required or desirable.
  • Reflect on personal practice and use this to inform continuous performance improvement.

Full information on Animal training instructor (level 4) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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