Routes into Land-Based Careers www.ahkandm.ac.uk Introduction Have you ever considered the world you live in? Think about the food you eat, the beautiful gardens you enjoy, the dog groomer your neighbour uses, Ascot horse races and the local rivers. What do they all have in common? The answer is they are all made possible by members of land-based industries. ‘Land- based industries’ is an umbrella term that includes areas such as Equine (horse) Studying one of these subjects studies, Agriculture, Animal Care, Fisheries, will enable you to develop specific Horticulture and Environmental Conservation. skills relevant to the field you’re According to the DCFS, in the UK, the land- most interested in working in. Plus, based sector is worth in excess of £8.9 billion you will develop transferable skills, per annum, employs more than 720,000 people such as effective communication, and accounts for around 5.67% of Gross marketing, project development and Domestic Product. Career opportunities in the management skills, which will be land-based industries are numerous. Whether helpful for any career path. you’re interested in becoming a veterinary nurse, a nature reserve manager or a florist, The courses available in Kent and this booklet and the enclosed maps will show Medway are flexible and most you the options you have to learn and qualify can be taken on a part-time basis. in Kent and Medway. There are many new work-based programmes as well as those mostly based in colleges and universities. This means whether you prefer to work with a bit of studying or learn with a bit of working, there should be a course that is right for you. Take a look at the maps at the back of this booklet; different subject areas have been separated into easy-to-follow progression routes. www.ahkandm.ac.uk 1 Which Career? The following job options are just a few examples of the career opportunities within the land-based sector. For more detailed information about the wide range of jobs available, visit the websites listed at the back of this booklet and talk to advisors at the institutions offering courses. ANIMAL MANAGEMENT Please see Animal Management map in the back of this booklet to get started Animal Groomers Groomers maintain the condition of animal’s coats and health through cleaning and treating parasites. Animal Welfare Animal welfare assistants care for and supervise a Assistants range of small animals. This includes feeding, cleaning and exercising the animals as well as ensuring they remain in good health. Behaviourists Pet behavioural therapists deal with behavioural problems of domestic animals, zoos and farms to ensure happiness of both animal and owner. Breeder Breeders mate animals such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, mice, monkeys, rabbits and rats using knowledge of animals, genealogy, traits and desired offspring. They then raise these animals and sell them to pet shops, hospitals, etc. Conservationists Animal conservationists work in the UK and around the world to manage animal populations under threat. Veterinary Nursing Veterinary nurses provide medical and surgical nursing care for animals receiving treatment in a veterinary practice. They work mainly with domestic animals, but also with horses, farm animals and more exotic species. 2 www.ahkandm.ac.uk Case Study 1 TESS I left school after GCSEs. I’d managed to get a couple of Bs, but I hated school. I knew that I wanted to work with animals and enrolled on the BTEC First Diploma in Animal Care. When I began the course, I thought that I’d prefer working with smaller animals and was going to take the Kennel and Cattery Management Award after I completed the First Diploma. My mind’s been totally changed though! I’ve loved finding out about non-domestic types of animal care and I’m looking forward to taking the BTEC National Award in Animal Rehabilitation. If I do really well, I’d like to study for the Foundation Degree in Animal Conservation and Biodiversity. My college has helped me get work experience and arranged for me to speak with people already working in different animal management settings. Now I’d like to get a job in a wildlife park and hopefully become a supervisor once I’ve gained some experience. The case studies in this booklet are fictional examples based on real students. Which Career? AGRICULTURE Please see Agriculture map in the back of this booklet to get started Agronomist Agronomists work to improve the use of soil and increase the production of food and fibre crops. They conduct research in crop rotation, irrigation and drainage, plant breeding, soil classification, soil fertility, weed control and other areas. Farm Manager Farm managers oversee the general running of farms to ensure that they are efficient and profitable. Typical tasks include: setting the budget and production targets; managing staff; planning livestock breeding and crop plantation; buying materials; and selling produce. Herd Manager Herd managers are responsible for herd health, nutrition, pregnancy testing and raising replacement stock. They may also organise the training and supervision of other staff. Machinery Maintenance Machinery maintenance workers ensure all of the Worker machinery within the work place is running effectively and safely. This includes dismantling machines for cleaning or repair and problem-solving. It may also include preparing chemical solutions as well as tracking inventory and restocking parts or lubricants as needed. 4 www.ahkandm.ac.uk Which Career? EQUINE Please see Equine map in the back of this booklet to get started Equine Nutritionist Equine nutritionists work with horses, horse owners, feed manufacturers and dealers. They design nutritional programs around specific goals, restrictions, preferences or management systems. Horse Trainer Horse trainers are involved in the breaking and reschooling of horses for riding and/or competition. Race Horse Trainer In horse racing, a trainer is responsible for preparing a horse for races, exercising it and determining which races it should enter. If successful, horse trainers also receive a percentage of the winnings. Riding School Instructor Instructors develop training programmes that teach people to ride or ride better, while also considering safety. They frequently train both horses and riders. Stable Manager Stable managers ensure the general well being of the horses being boarded at the stable and generally overseas all activity at the stables. Tack Shop Owner Owners have legal and financial responsibility for the business which supplies the equipment for a horse to be ridden, including a bridle and saddle. Veterinary Assistant Assistants help veterinary surgeons during surgery, laboratory work and general ward care. They order and administer drugs, feed and clean animals, write progress reports and do reception work. www.ahkandm.ac.uk 5 Which Career? CONSERVATION, COUNTRYSIDE & FISHERIES Please see Environment, Conservation & Sustainability map or Fisheries map in the back of this booklet to get started. Fisheries Farmer Fish farming involves breeding salmon, trout and shellfish for the food industry. Fish Farmers also breed other fish to stock lakes and rivers for angling and to supply ornamental ponds. Nature Reserve Manager Nature Reserve managers safeguard the wildlife living within the nature reserve area and limit any recreational impact which may effect the reserve as a whole. They oversee their environmental staff as well as administration and must ensure that all environmental laws are obeyed. Warden or Ranger Wardens look after and maintain areas of the countryside such as woods, common land and national parks. They ensure that flora and fauna are protected and that public access is controlled and safe. Water Bailiff Water bailiffs make sure that rivers and lakes are suitable for recreation purposes. They encourage aquatic life and also enforce laws that protect rivers and lakes. FLORISTRY, HORTICULTURE AND GARDEN DESIGN Please see Floristry, Horticulture & Garden Design map in the back of this booklet to get started. Florist Florists design and make up floral arrangements, bouquets, wreaths and floral tributes. They may also sell cut flowers, pot plants, dried and artificial flowers, gifts and decorations. Garden Designer Garden designers plan and implement a garden for individuals or public and private organisations. Head Gardener Head gardeners supervise a group of gardeners who grow and tend plants in public parks, private gardens and areas around shopping centres, schools, large offices and similar buildings. Horticulturist Horticulturists are involved in the large-scale cultivation of plants; and with experience, can work as consultants to individuals or large organisations. 6 www.ahkandm.ac.uk Case Study 2 I wanted to leave school straight after NIKOLAY GCSEs. I got a C, a few Ds and Es and so I contacted my local college to talk with their careers adviser to find out which courses were available to suit my interests. I knew I enjoyed being outside and pushing myself physically and they suggested an apprenticeship in landscape development. But after that meeting, I found it hard to get motivated and didn’t end up doing much for the next six months. At that point though, the college got back in touch with me. They said they’d found an employer and went through the details of what doing an apprenticeship would mean. My employer is a local landscaper and I’ve developed skills and gained knowledge that I wouldn’t have learned in a classroom. I’ve learned it all through practical experience. I’ve been in college for a total of 4 weeks in the last two years and the rest of the time I’ve spent working. That means I’m earning a wage and really getting to grips with project development. I’ve been offered a job as a skilled labourer as soon as I finish my apprenticeship.