Animal care is a growing industry which means there is high demand for skilled animal carers. It’s a good time to consider turning your passion into a career.
So, you’re a massive lover of animals. There are a range of jobs that will have you encountering a variety of furry (or feathered) friends all day long.
Let’s start by looking at what types of jobs you’re interested in so we can accurately guide you into which course you need to be doing to qualify.
Don’t worry. Getting qualified for these types of jobs isn’t too intimidating either. There are many courses available which can serve as your first step into this enticing new world. Let’s take a look…
Which course is right for you?
Once you start working and studying, the sky is the limit in the animal care industry. Let’s make this decision a bit easier by first exploring which animal-related jobs are currently in high demand and then determining which TAFE Gippsland course will get you there…
Animal care attendants work directly with all kinds of animals. They assist in providing basic care and exercise as well as activities that enrich the animals. They will be expected to perform diverse daily tasks to keep animals happy and healthy. Shifts and hours will vary depending on the organisation you work for.
Other jobs in this area include:
* Assistant animal care worker
* Assistant animal shelter attendant
* Assistant kennel hand
* Assistant cattery attendant.
Which course will get you there?
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care – Ideal for those who’ve had little to no experience in working with animals but want to learn how to contribute to daily care of all animals and want to meet like-minded people.
Dog groomers provide several services for dogs and their owners in a variety of settings including veterinary clinics, pet stores, grooming salons and even mobile dog wash/grooming businesses. Professional grooming sessions usually include dogs being brushed, bathed and blow dried. Depending on the dog breed and customer preference, groomers will also cut and style a dog’s coat. Nail care is also provided by groomers including trimming and clipping nails.
What course will get you there?
ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care – Get the skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of roles in animal care facilities and services, performing a variety of tasks which involve the proper handling of animals, selecting and operating tools and equipment, coordinating resources and problem solving.
Other common job roles for certificate III level employees include but are not limited to:
* Pet shop/aquarium assistant
* Kennel attendant
* Cattery attendant
* Assistant dog trainer
* Pet exerciser or shelter assistant.
Veterinary nurses usually work in a vet clinic setting and provide care to injured and sick animals. Roles differ greatly depending on the specific position but vet nurses can be expected carry out a number of day-to-day tasks as well as some higher-level responsibilities.
What course will get you there?
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing – Turn your love for animals into a rewarding career with this industry-standard qualification for veterinary nurses in Australia. Veterinary Nurses are the backbone of every veterinary clinic. It’s a job that requires skill, dedication and a love for animals.
What does a vet nurse do?
Veterinary nursing is a dynamic and lucrative career for animal lovers. Veterinary nurses work closely with veterinarians to provide both routine and emergency care. Working in a clinic setting, vet nurses will be expected to provide quality care to all animals being treated in the practice.
A major responsibility is assisting veterinarians with surgical procedures. During surgery, vet nurses may have to administer drugs, anaesthetics or injections, hold and monitor animals, sterilise equipment and clean up post-surgery. Besides the duties associated with surgical procedures, vet nurses will also prepare and send off lab samples, execute dental procedures, and take x-rays among other technical tasks. They must communicate with pet owners; explaining procedures and giving aftercare advice.
Vet nurses also must undertake administrative duties including keeping records, writing and filing reports. The average vet nurse salary is over $59,000 per year making it a pretty attractive career path.
To become qualified as a veterinary nurse, it is a general expectation that applicants have attained a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which is offered at TAFE Gippsland and only takes 18 months to complete online or one year face to fact at our Yallourn campus.
Animal studies work placement
To be able to break into any industry, you must get experience in order to get a job. But how does one get experience when they have none previously? Feels a bit like the chicken and the egg scenario. That’s where work placements and traineeships come into play.
Say you’re interested in a career as a vet nurse. You should absolutely enrol in a vet nurse course but to qualify, you’ll need to complete a Certificate II or Certificate III first. During the time you are studying, take advantage of traineeship programs such as TAFE Gippsland’s Certificate III in Companion Animal Care Services.
The more real-life experience you get, especially while studying, will make you more competitive when applying for jobs later.
Preparing for an animal care interview
Picture this: you’ve done it, you’ve completed your studies and you’re ready to go out there and land your dream job working with animals.
You’ve applied and actually have some interviews lined up. Exciting times but wait, you’ll need to prepare for said interviews and be ready to smash the competition.
Here are a few tips for an interview in animal care.
- As for any job interview, research the company you’re applying to. What are their values or mission statement? What exactly do they do? Be armed with all the knowledge you can find so you’re ready when they ask you any relevant questions.
- Be ready to explain, in detail, why you love animals and what your favourite animal is. Chances are that your interviewer is also animal obsessed – so try to make your love for animals shine through.
- Come prepared with questions. There should be some aspects to the job and work environment that are important to you and you should walk away with all the answers. Will you be working as part of a team? Who will you be reporting to? Are the hours flexible? Will there be an opportunity to move up in the company?
Whoever is interviewing you should appreciate your wanting to know these kinds of details about the position. They will take it as a sign of maturity that you are confident enough to ask.
In conclusion, seeking a job working with animals may well be the best decision you’ll ever make. Your future could be one surrounded by furry friends, endeavouring to care for and protect any and every animal you encounter. It might not always be an easy job, but the benefit of knowing you are helping innocent creatures will be extremely rewarding.
So what are you waiting for? TAFE Gippsland has several courses to get you started.
Your future job working with animals awaits! Visit our website for more information or call 1300 475 146 today!