Animal Care learners at Pembrokeshire College have access to a new facility at Withybush, with the new animal unit being officially opened by John Burns who is the patron of the Burns Foundation and sponsor.
Known officially as the John Burns Centre of Learning, the exciting new facility was kindly sponsored by the John Burns Foundation under a two-stage programme. Programme one consisted of developing a
land-based facility at the Agricultural Showground. The unit comprises of industry standard enclosures, vivariums, aquaria and aviaries which will help prepare learners for employment in veterinary related practice. Through the kind generosity of the Foundation, the College has been able to fully refurbish their Animal Care facilities.
Several guests from local businesses and organisations attended the opening. The Burns Foundation kindly sponsored the animal care facility as well as the Life Skills Academy.
“I am delighted that the John Burns Foundation is involved in this exciting partnership with Pembrokeshire College. One of the aims of the Foundation is to assist young people to develop skills which will benefit them in their lives. I would have loved to have an opportunity such as this when I was young,” said John Burns.
The unit houses a wide variety of species from domestic animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters to exotic animals such as African grey parrots, tortoises and snakes. The unit has also recently introduced rescue animals such as battery hens as well as working alongside the Pembrokeshire Hogspital.
The new equipment was installed by leading retail supplier CASCO which also allowed for an opportunity to expand the variety of species the learners were able to work and learn with. These excellent facilities have increased the number of learners enrolling on the Animal Care course by an extra 10% and now welcomes over 90 learners annually.
The Animal Care and Animal Management courses at Pembrokeshire College have proved popular over several years and aid progression into industry and to study at university. Learners learn alongside staff who have a wide variety on real life industry experience from conservation of the Cape Griffon vulture, cheetahs, and birds of prey to working with a wide variety of animal species, including donkeys, domestic and exotic.
“This facility gives learners the opportunity to work with a broad range of animals housed in the type of accommodation that they’ll encounter in the wider workplace, giving the learners familiarity with the latest equipment”, said Alwyn Griffiths, the Curriculum Manager of the Animal Management and Animal Care courses at the College.
Programme two kindly supported the College’s Life Skills Academy which engages learners with additional learning needs. The curriculum is based around the four pillars: Health and Wellbeing, Community, Employability and Independent Living Skills. Person centred planning focusses on an individual learner’s career destination at the end of their programme and supports them with the skills needed to achieve their goals.
The focus of the support is to establish an employability hub at the showground so that learners can develop their skills and engage with the many businesses in the immediate vicinity. Using supported internships and work programmes the College will place learners in supported employment settings to further their careers and life chances.
The hub is ideally placed to give the academy learners the best possible start to their career within a variety of businesses throughout the local community.
Recruitment for 2022 entry to the courses is already underway, with applications currently being accepted.
