Animal Care and Welfare Manager apprentices at CAW achieve Distinction success

VetSkill is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of three Level 3 Animal Care and Welfare Manager apprentices supported by The College of Animal Welfare (CAW), all of whom have achieved Distinction grades.

As work‑based apprentices, each learner completed their programme within their own workplace, while receiving tutor support from CAW teams based in Leeds and Huntingdon. Throughout their apprenticeship, the learners demonstrated a high level of commitment, professionalism and capability, which was clearly reflected in the quality of their work and final outcomes.

Lesley Wilson, Head of Animal Care at CAW, praised both the apprentices and the collaborative support in place:

“I am really impressed with all the hard work the apprentices have put in throughout their course to ensure they fully cover the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) by producing outstanding showcase portfolios. Their written work is a reflection of the achievements they have had at work making a difference to the businesses they are in, a point fully shared by their employers.

The support given by the VetSkill assessor helped put the apprentices at ease prior to the intense EPA comprising an observation and professional discussion – it helped them demonstrate their knowledge and ability and they all deserve the Distinction grades awarded”.

Each apprentice successfully completed an End‑Point Assessment (EPA) consisting of an Observation with Questions and Professional Discussion Supported with a Portfolio. Clear communication, preparation meetings and assessor support ensured learners felt confident and able to perform at their best during what is often a demanding and high‑pressure process.

Reflecting on their journey, apprentice Marnie Goodman (pictured above) highlighted the personal confidence gained and the clarity of the assessment process:

“I enjoyed learning new skills that came with being a manager of a small team. I gained confidence that helped me complete my assessment to a high standard and knowledge that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career.

I thought the assessment process was well organised; I had meetings beforehand where I could ask questions and understand how the day would go. I also had the opportunity to meet my assessor before my assessment. Overall, it all made me feel more confident”.

Apprentice Soline Smith (pictured below) spoke about how the apprenticeship supported their development, particularly when navigating challenging situations:

"Despite the initial challenges, my apprenticeship helped me grow stronger, more confident, and better equipped to manage difficult conversations and be able to adapt to different situations.

Although I was nervous during my EPA, I felt confident enough to ask for clarification when I didn’t understand a question, and my assessor’s support put me at ease, helping me to give clearer answers."

‍For apprentice Rae Green (pictured below), the programme offered both practical support and reassurance, particularly when balancing study requirements alongside full‑time work:

“When I first discussed signing up to the apprenticeship with CAW, I was apprehensive as I knew I needed to complete maths alongside the course. I have avoided applying for courses in the past dreading that people would judge me due to my problems with maths.

The tutors who helped me achieve my course had regular online meetings with me, setting me tasks that worked alongside my day-to-day tasks. This made the assignments relevant and helped me have a better understanding of my role within the workplace. These meetings were always supportive and helped me plan out my work.

Having allocated OTJ hours for assignment time really helped, as there was no additional pressure when already working full time. Both maths and animal-related tasks were explained in a way that made them relevant to my work, which helped me to understand them.

I could not have achieved the Level 3 qualification if it had not been for the staff at CAW. Their understanding, patience and encouragement helped me to gain confidence.”

VetSkill would like to congratulate Marnie Goodman, Soline Smith and Rae Green on their well‑deserved Distinction grades, and thank The College of Animal Welfare for its continued dedication to supporting learners to succeed.

VetSkill is an Ofqual, Skills England and DfE approved end-point assessment organisation (EPAO), delivering high quality, robust assessment services that meet the evolving needs of employers across a range of industries. We put the apprentice at the heart of our service. Learn more about VetSkill’s EPAs here.

Interested in working with VetSkill as your end-point assessment organisation, or just fancy a chat with our Apprenticeship Assessment Lead? Please get in touch with Kayleigh at epao@vetskill.com or fill in our End-Point Assessment Interest Form.