At Haddon Training, we love recognising the efforts our learners go to achieving their qualifications.

We are delighted to award one of our former animal care apprentices, Paige Steele, a Certificate of Recognition for recently passing her level 2 animal care apprenticeship with a distinction. We caught up with Paige and her employer, Richard Moulding, at Oak & Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre in Wiltshire.

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Paige says, “I enjoyed having the opportunity to work with wildlife whilst learning at the same time. I particularly enjoyed rearing cygnets and then releasing them into the wild.

When I received a distinction, I was over the moon! I’d put a lot of pressure on myself but when I found out I got a distinction I was so proud of myself. I celebrated my achievement with my family.

I learnt many things during my apprenticeship that I’ll carry through in my future career. I’ve learnt how to work efficiently during busy times and how crucial the animal welfare act 2006 is. The most valuable lesson my Trainer Coach, Kirsten Clements, taught me was ‘You work with wildlife, they wouldn’t receive treatment in the wild so therefore anything you do for these animals is a bonus’. These words will forever stick in my mind.”

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Richard explains why he chooses to employ apprentices and expresses how an apprenticeships benefit learners like Paige.

Richard says, “Apprentices are a great addition to our experienced workforce and provide a vital way to improve a wide range of abilities within our organisation.  Apprentices are highly motivated, provide energy and enthusiasm and we are able to fit them around our existing wide range of tasks within the Centre.

Paige has progressed enormously during her time as an apprentice here, both in terms of professional and personal abilities.  Her knowledge of the tasks involved here have benefitted from the apprenticeship learning programme. Her on-the-job experience has developed tremendously, and she has developed more confidence and interpersonal skills.  Given her progress in the last couple of years I feel confident in saying she has a great future in animal care ahead of her.

Employing apprentices gives the satisfaction in knowing we are benefitting the life of that person not only in terms of a professional sense but also on a personal level.  It is good to see them grow and set them on their way in their chosen career.  Sometimes it is a visible change in that person, and this shows apprenticeships really work very well at many levels.”

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Thank you to Paige and Richard, we look forward to following your future success.

For more information about our animal care apprenticeships, click here.