Free Level 2 Animal Care Course. Work-based training at your workplace. You learn on the job, in a real animal care or equine environment, while building the skills your employer needs. The course takes around 10 months to complete. Different routes are available to suit different animal care settings, from equine work to other animal care roles. You'll need some basic experience in animal care, or a Level 1 animal care qualification, and you must be working or volunteering in an animal care environment.
Who this course is for
A Level 2 work-based Animal Care Award is for anyone with a job or work placement in the equine industry, who is looking for an basic Animal Care Level 2 qualification. You should ideally have a Level 1 or basic experience/skills in the animal care industry. It is a work-related, competence-based qualification. There are different routes available within this qualification to suit different animal care environments.
Entry requirements
This Level 2 course requires you to have some basic experience, and/or a level 1 animal qualification. You will need to be working or volunteering in an animal care environment. Please contact us directly to discuss your individual entry requirements to see if you are suitable for the course.
What you will learn
You'll develop practical animal care skills in your day-to-day work environment.
You'll learn how to handle and care for animals safely and responsibly.
You'll understand animal health, welfare, and behaviour.
You'll apply correct procedures for feeding, housing, and maintaining animals.
You'll follow health and safety practices relevant to animal care settings.
You'll build competence across the specific route that matches your work environment.
How you will learn
This is a competence-based qualification assessed in your workplace. Assessment is carried out through observation of your practical work, professional discussion, and a portfolio of evidence you build over the course. Your assessor will visit you at your place of work to observe and assess your skills directly. You work through the qualification at your own pace over the 10-month period.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Keits will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Animal care worker. Caring for animals in kennels, catteries, or rescue centres.
Equine groom. Day-to-day care and handling of horses.
Zoo or wildlife park assistant. Supporting animal welfare in a managed setting.
Pet shop assistant. Advising customers and caring for animals in retail.
Animal shelter worker. Supporting rehoming and welfare operations.
Stable hand. Feeding, mucking out, and maintaining horses and facilities.
What you could study next
Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Animal Management. A natural next step if you want to move into supervisory or specialist roles in animal care.
Level 3 Apprenticeship in Animal Care or Equine. Combines further on-the-job learning with a higher-level qualification.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training. An option if you want to train or mentor others in animal care settings.
