Gateway to Landbased – Entry Level

Required qualifications

This is a supported learning course for which there are no specific entry requirements and leads to an Entry Level 3 course.

You will need to have a passion for working with animals and outdoors. You will be in small groups and receive support as you learn both within the classroom and on practicals.

What skills will I develop?

• You will learn to feed, water, maintain the accommodation of, handle and health check a wide variety of animals from small animals like rabbits to some of the bigger ones like horses and calves.
• You will undertake grooming on dogs, horses and rabbits, and improve your knowledge on breeds and parts of the animals.
• You will grow vegetables, take cuttings and learn about different plants and how they grow.
• You will develop better team working skills, produce enrichment for the animals and learn how to work safely.
• You will get a better understanding of how to have a healthy lifestyle, take part in some volunteer work and participate in a selection of trips and visits.

Careers

Most of our students will progress to a Level 1 course, often in a more specific vocational area, for example in Animal Care, Equine, Agriculture or Horticulture.

Students can gain part-time or voluntary jobs in kennels, catteries, wildlife centres, riding stables and aquatics.

Work experience

During your course you will be required to complete thirty hours of work experience over the year in an animal-based placement. This will increase your confidence, knowledge and practical skills, and can help with better prospects for future employment.

This should be completed on a day that you would not normally be in college. There is the possibility of completing this at the college’s Animal Zone, but where possible it is preferable for students to find their own placement in places such as kennels, catteries, welfare centres, riding stables, pet shops or farms.

English and maths

Maths and English will be studied at either Functional Skills or GCSE level depending on your starting point. You will be assessed and assigned to the appropriate level at the start of the year.

• GCSE is three hours per week for both maths and English
• Functional skills is one and a half hours per week for both maths and English

You will need to achieve maths and English in order to be able to progress. During the course you will develop vocational skills such as weighing, measuring, following instructions, writing and communications.

Other important information

You will need the following equipment:

• Overalls (this must be a full overall so that arms are covered)
• Steel toe cap boots or wellies
• Waterproofs
• Medium sized padlock for your locker (two keys)
• Stationery items such as pens, paper, a glue stick, a stapler and coloured pens

Students should be aware that when carrying out practical tasks on the Animal Zone:

• Jewellery is not allowed
• Piercings must be removed
• Nail varnish/false nails are not allowed
• Long hair must be tied back

A variety of trips and visits take place, many are free of charge and costs are kept to a minimum, however these will cost around forty pounds for the year.