T Level Animal Management and Behaviour

T Levels follow GCSEs and are equivalent to studying three A Levels. T levels are advanced, 2-year technical qualifications designed with employers to give you a head start towards the future you want.

The Animal Management and Behaviour T Level focuses on careers within Animal Training, Animal Environments and Animal Husbandry.

T Levels are designed to deliver world-class technical education and give you a new choice after GCSEs. The Animal Management and Behaviour T level has been designed with leading businesses and employers in the business realm and gives you:

• A thorough understanding of concepts and theories of the animal industry.
• The opportunity to solve real-life problems in the animal industry.
• Valuable experience of learning from the experts through working side by side with those in the animal industry on your industry placement so that you have the chance to learn what this career is like in the real world while you continue your studies.
• Specialist knowledge and skills of animal industry professionals
• Your T Level will be worth UCAS points – a T Level Distinction* is worth the same as 3 A Levels at A* – and will be recognised by universities and other education providers so you can choose to continue studying if you wish.
• T Levels involve more classroom study than apprenticeships, which means you can experience an industry while you continue your studies.

Year 1 is made up of three key parts:

• Core: Knowledge and understanding of business contexts, people and management, working as part of a team, quality and compliance, as well as finance and project management for driving change and business behaviours. The core has a 2-hour exam as its assessment method.
• Employer Set Project: A project set by animal industry employers that requires you to apply your knowledge to a real-life problem in the industry.
• Pathway: Knowledge and understanding of key concepts within the animal industry, including Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Health, Animal Behaviour, Animal Training, Animal Environments and Animal Husbandry. The pathway has a 2-hour exam as its assessment method.

Business context and commercial awareness, e.g. conduct a PESTLE analysis to inform a change

Project management: plan, manage and evaluate a project using appropriate tools and methodologies, e.g. introducing a new policy or training programme

Communication: using a range of communication methods tailored to audience, e.g. to internal and external stakeholders on business solutions; making a presentation to a customer.

Use IT packages to present documentation professionally.

Working collaboratively with others, e.g. to develop content for an intervention; to develop feedback skills; managing and influencing stakeholders; considering the impact of proposed solutions on others; to develop a business improvement solution.

Applying a logical approach to problem solving, identifying and resolving issues, recording progress and proposing solutions, e.g. undertaking a cost / benefit analysis of the introduction of new procedures; developing a creative or innovative business improvement solution.

Undertaking research, e.g. identifying sources and obtaining information related to a project and / or customer requirements; interrogating, analysing and reporting on data; create a briefing document for internal colleagues or supervisor to assist them in formulating specific advice.

Reflective practice, e.g. review performance and own behaviours for impact; identifying ways for improvement; quality outcomes.

Industry Placement:

You will get the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills you have learned in to action as you start your industry placement. You will work with an external business industry employer to apply your knowledge and develop your technical skills in a real-life business workplace. These hours can be undertaken over both years

Year 2 is made up of two key parts:

1. Synoptic assessment

Animal Management and Behaviour synoptic assignment overview.

Learners will be able to:

• Optimise the health and welfare of animals
• Optimise animal environments to meet their needs
• Apply techniques to influence positive animal behaviour.

2. Research project

Animal Management and Behaviour research project overview

Learners will be able to:

• Provide information researched on an animal to promote animal welfare and conservation.

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths.

A prior animal course is not required; however, you should be interested in animals and prepared to discuss this in the interview.

T Levels offer many opportunities for progression:

• Progress to University: You can use the UCAS points you achieve as a result of completing your T level to continue your studies at university.
• Enter Employment: You can use the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained to start working in the animal industry.
• Apprenticeship: There are many opportunities offered through apprenticeships that allow you to carry on learning (20%) whilst spending most of your time (80%) furthering your skills in the workplace.

There are a variety of careers you can pursue once you have completed the course, as the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will develop are highly prized within a broad range of businesses.

Careers within the animal industry include:

• Animal Trainer
• Kennel and Cattery Assistant
• Zookeeper
• Pet Store Assistant