Animal Focused celebrates first four learners to achieve VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Certificate in Licensing of Animal Activities

Exciting news! The first four qualification claims have now been approved for the VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Certificate in Licensing of Animal Activities at VetSkill approved centre Animal Focused.

This milestone comes less than a year after Animal Focused started working with VetSkill, exclusively delivering and assessing the Level 3 Certificate as a private qualification.

Now, the first four learners have followed the qualification through to the end, some of whom sharing their thoughts on the course.

Fiona Hiron, Environmental Health Officer at Horsham District Council, said:

“I found the course to be well structured and there was clear support on hand to guide you through the reports. This was far better than another similar course that I had enrolled on but found myself left floundering not knowing how to progress. I managed to complete this course and felt confident that I would pass once the final submission went in due to the communication and support I’d received”.

Michael McGale, Technical Officer at Horsham District Council, added:

“The course was informative and insightful, the informal and approachable tutors showed expert knowledge in each of the subjects and helped decrease any apprehensions I had throughout the course. The relaxed environment was the right balance in a classroom setting, fostering a supportive online learning experience and a progressing sense of achievement. The increasing high standards of animal welfare are only supported by the professionalism of VetSkill and the encouragement, principles and benchmarks they set in their teaching. This course is more than improving your skill base, it’s raising the standards of animal activity licensing”.

This Ofqual-regulated qualification is designed for learners who are currently working for local authorities where carrying out licensing inspections under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 is part of their role. It meets the legislative requirements for animal licensing officers to be suitably qualified, providing the underpinning knowledge and skills for the licensing of all licensed animal activities in England.

The units contained within this qualification have been rigorously developed to include the essentials for working within the sector legally, professionally and ethically, whilst supporting the development of theoretical knowledge, complemented by the necessary skills required to fulfil the roles and responsibilities of the animal licensing officer.

Animal Focused is an award-winning educational consultancy and training provider for pet businesses, welfare organisations, Local Authorities and schools based in Northamptonshire. The provider was approved as a new VetSkill centre in August 2024 for delivery of the VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Certificate in Licensing of Animal Activities, and as of May 2025, is also approved for the VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Award in the Licensing of Selling Animals as Pets.

Vicky Skinner, Head of Centre at Animal Focused, comments on working with VetSkill:

“The VetSkill team have been an absolute pleasure to work with since the very first meeting. They embraced the need for a new licensing qualification and within months had everything in place for the new VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Certificate in Licensing of Animal Activities. Less than 9 months later, and with the support of our training partners City of London Corporation, our first learners have not only achieved their qualification but recognise the importance of their role in ensuring animal welfare standards”.

Helen Thurlow, External Quality Assurer at VetSkill, responds:

“We are delighted to celebrate the successful completion of the first learners' journey with us. It’s a privilege to collaborate with such a friendly and inspiring team, and we look forward to celebrating many more achievements with the centre.”

We are thrilled to congratulate these learners on their success and look forward to seeing many more learners follow in their footsteps.

Learn more about VetSkill’s qualifications here. For further information on becoming an approved VetSkill centre, please visit: Become a Centre — VetSkill. Kiera from the VetSkill Quality Assurance Team will be in contact to arrange an initial meeting to discuss the process and provide support and guidance throughout.