British Army - Animal Care & Welfare Assistant - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship
British Army
Recruiting nationally
Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025
Posted on 8 May 2025
Contents
Summary
A Level 2 Animal Welfare & Care Assistant in the British Army helps care for military animals, such as dogs and horses. Working within the RAVC, RAC or RA, they support vets, clean kennels or stables, assist with feeding, grooming and handling and ensure that animals are healthy, safe and ready for operational duty.
- Wage
-
£25,200 a year
- Training course
- Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
- Hours
-
Shift and working patterns may vary. Working locations will vary nationally depending on the apprenticeship and working requirements. Days and times to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 September 2025
- Duration
-
2 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
145
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Keep Army animals bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Gain valuable experience, get qualifications, travel worldwide and make some great friends along the way.
Animals - mostly dogs and horses - are an important part of Army life. As a Veterinary Technician, you take care of them alongside our highly skilled Army Vets. You work all over the world and deal with everything from injured search dogs to sick cavalry horses. You could be preparing an operating theatre one day and nursing hospitalized animals the next. It’s great experience that can help you get valuable qualifications and a job if you return to civilian life. When you’re not building your skills and career, you’ll have time to enjoy sports and make some amazing friends.
Where you'll work
Depending on your chosen regiment/corps and age at the time of enlistment, you will undertake Phase 1 training at AFC Harrogate (16-17 year olds), ATR Pirbright, ATR Winchester or ITC Catterick (for adult recruits). ITC Catterick is also where Infantry soldiers complete both Phase 1 and 2. On completion of training, you will be assigned where the Army requires you to be, but wherever that is you will receive 'on the job' training towards the completion of your chosen apprenticeship.
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
BRITISH ARMY
Your training course
Animal care and welfare assistant (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Your training plan
RAC (HCav). In the case of the HCav, Level 2 learners will be soldiers joining the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) and will start with Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant.
RA. In the case of the RA, Level 2 learners will be soldiers joining the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery (RHA); for some, Level 2 Equine Groom may be a second apprenticeship.
RAVC. In the case of the RAVC, soldiers will start Level 2 Animal Care and Welfare Assistant when they begin Initial Trade Training (ITT) and continue their learning in the Field Army.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English or RQF Lvl 2 equivalent (grade 3/D or above)
- Maths or ICT (grade 4/C or above)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements
The British Army recruits throughout the year and you should ignore the application closing dates shown against this advert.
About this company
Protecting the nation and its dependent territories will always be the British Army's first role. Highly trained soldiers are ready to deploy anywhere at any time to meet a variety of challenges, ranging from support to the Police following a terrorist attack, to specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and intelligence experts, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, we are always ready to serve. You belong here.
https://www.army.mod.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
The Army offers job security, career growth, adventure and world-class training. Benefits include competitive pay, travel, fitness, leadership skills, a pension, free healthcare, cheaper housing and 30 days of paid leave a year, plus public holidays.
After this apprenticeship
The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the British Army. Promotion, along with increased salary and responsibility is dependent on successful completion of the apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection. As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest values and standards expected of the British Army. You belong here.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BRITISH ARMY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000319489.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025
When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Company’s application instructions
At this link you can find more information about the roles offered by the British Army. We have positions available for all roles throughout the year and you can ignore the application open/closing dates shown against this apprenticeship advertisement. Once you have completed an application you will be invited to complete an aptitude assessment, selection interview, health assessment and a fitness test. More details of the requirement can be found at the application link.