As World Veterinary Day approaches on April 26th, Reaseheath College and University Centre is marking a significant achievement in the veterinary and animal care sector – the successful completion of End Point Assessments (EPA) by its first cohort of Animal Care and Welfare Assistant apprentices.
Delivered in partnership with VetSkill, this milestone not only highlights individual accomplishment but also honours the vital role that veterinary professionals and their support teams play in safeguarding animal health and welfare – the very ethos behind World Veterinary Day.
Apprentices across a range of veterinary practices all successfully completed the programme with distinctions, demonstrating the knowledge, care, and dedication required in today’s animal care professions. Among the cohort were Josie Robinson (Vets4Pets Northwich), Katie Stratford-Hawkesford and Penny Boyle (Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool), and Mollie Greatbatch (Moorlands Veterinary Centre), who all praised the hands-on nature of the apprenticeship route.
“I really enjoyed the apprenticeship because it was practical, and I learnt a lot while working,” said Josie. “I had excellent support from college and work, which helped me succeed.”
Her Practice Manager, Emma West, commented: “Josie has grown so much during her apprenticeship. Being in the workplace allowed her to develop real-life skills and behaviours, while also gaining valuable knowledge through her college training.”
Katie Stratford-Hawkesford reflected on the benefits of learning through doing, saying: “I found it much easier to learn on an apprenticeship as I had the chance to put what I was learning into practice in a real-life workplace.”
Penny Boyle added: “It was really helpful to be getting paid while also learning. The support of the team at work and college helped me complete the course.”
Mollie Greatbatch chose the apprenticeship to gain practical experience and now plans to progress onto a Level 3 programme to train as a veterinary nurse:
“I’ve been surrounded by a great team who have supported me, and I now hope to move on to further study.”
Other members of the successful cohort included Marni Perrins, who achieved a Distinction, and Sunia Tuck, both of whom completed their apprenticeships and are continuing to build their careers in the veterinary sector.
Mark Dugmore, Skills Coach at Reaseheath College, said: “It has been fantastic to see our apprentices thrive in both their studies and their workplace environments. Their achievements showcase the value of apprenticeships in equipping learners with real-world skills while enabling them to earn qualifications that will shape their future careers.”
With a 100% success rate for this group, Reaseheath College and VetSkill are committed to continuing to offer high-quality pathways for those pursuing careers in animal health.
Kayleigh Robinson, End-Point Assessment Lead at VetSkill, added: “VetSkill is honoured to be part of the apprenticeship journey for these high-performing apprentices in the role of End-Point Assessment Organisation. Huge congratulations on achieving Distinction grades across the board; this shows the hard work, commitment, and determination of all parties involved.
“The feedback received from these apprentices shows how strongly apprenticeships are valued within the veterinary field and are needed as an alternative form of education and training that offers many advantages to other academic routes. We wish all the apprentices the best of luck with their future career paths.”
Reaseheath College has been an approved VetSkill centre since 2020 and delivers a wide range of qualifications to support careers in the veterinary sector. These include veterinary nursing, veterinary reception, animal first aid, and care support. The college is also an approved provider for End Point Assessments (EPA) for both Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant and Level 3 Veterinary Nurse apprenticeships.
Alongside these programmes, Reaseheath offers the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support– a practical, sector-recognised qualification that provides an entry route into the profession. It’s ideal for those seeking hands-on experience while gaining the practical skills and underpinning knowledge needed for a successful career in veterinary care.
It directly maps to and complements the apprenticeship pathway, particularly for those looking to gain hands-on experience while progressing their careers. Recognised across the sector, the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support highlights Reaseheath’s commitment to providing flexible, career-focused training that meets the needs of both learners and employers.
For more information about the range of veterinary nursing courses available at Reaseheath College visit Veterinary Nursing – Reaseheath College