Review of Standards for Animal Care
Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, is spearheading the UK wide project, which will lead to a new list of the skills needed for staff in animal care and management roles to be able to do their job properly. Lantra is seeking those with a keen involvement in the animal care industry to register their interest to participate in meetings and help ensure that National Occupational Standards fit modern business needs.
Lisa Jarvis, Industry Partnership Manager at Lantra, said: "The standards are a great tool to use in the workplace as they can be used to identify the skills needed, highlight best practice, develop training and recruitment plans, develop job descriptions and they also form the basis of animal care qualifications. The standards were last reviewed in 2005 and as the animal care industry has expanded over the past 5 years, we now want as many people as possible from across the range of roles within the industry to take part in the review."
The review process starts with a number of meetings, which are due to take place in Warwickshire on Wednesday 5 May, Thursday 1 July and Thursday 2 September, and will give all those interested parties the opportunity to come along and contribute to defining the standards for the industry. An online consultation open to all is planned for later this year.
Simon Johnston, Skills Development Manager for the RSPCA, said: "All land-based industries are under pressure from financial and environmental influences. Keeping up-to-date with current best practice has never been so important. The key to a successful business is a skilled and motivated workforce that works to the most current industry standards. By contributing to the upcoming National Occupational Standards review employers can ensure they are receiving the most up-to-date information and make sure the standards reflect what is actually happening in their industry."
Higher Education Institutions with animal related provision are also invited to contribute to the review as the standards are used for mapping during curriculum development, review and accreditation. Ideas for involving their institution in the review could include using employer liaison meetings or considering student progression destination data to identify relevant employment opportunities.
Lisa concluded: "Standards cannot be developed without your help. Only by working together can we ensure that the revised National Occupational Standards will take into account any new business practices and make them fit for purpose and valued by employers."
To take part in the review and help the animal care industry get the most out of the skills system, register your interest by emailing standardsandquals@lantra.co.uk,
calling Lantra on 02476 858 424 or visiting www.lantra.co.uk/animalcareNOS.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
