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Work With Us: Apprenticeships for Employers

Supporting Your Team to Train, Qualify and Progress

GVNC works in partnership with veterinary practices to support employees who wish to train as Veterinary Care Support Assistants or Registered Veterinary Nurses through an apprenticeship route.

You remain the employer. We provide the training, teaching, assessment and ongoing support — working closely with you to ensure a high-quality experience for both the learner and the practice.

How We Work With Employer Practices

GVNC acts as the training provider and quality partner, while your practice remains the learner’s employer and day-to-day workplace. We deliver the apprenticeship curriculum, college teaching, assessments, progress monitoring and quality assurance.

Our team has extensive experience working in veterinary practice management, allowing us to design programmes that reflect the realities of busy clinical environments while supporting learner progression. Clear communication, regular reviews and early intervention ensure that any issues are identified and addressed promptly.

Employer Enquiry

“Since joining the college, I feel like I’ve grown a lot as a person such as becoming more independent and better at managing my time and responsibilities. I’ve also learned to handle challenges more effectively, which has strengthened my confidence and resilience.”

– Sophie Ramos from Moloney Vets

From Interest to Enrolment: The Employer Journey

Supporting an employee through a GVNC apprenticeship is a structured and supported process:

The employer or practice contacts GVNC to register interest
An initial eligibility check is completed (age, right to work, prior qualifications, Maths & English requirements)
An application form and course details are shared with the employer
The employer confirms workplace details, working hours, pay and nominates a Clinical Supervisor or Mentor
A college interview and skills matching process takes place
Acceptance and induction details are issued to both learner and practice
Apprenticeship agreements are signed by the employer, learner and GVNC
The learner is enrolled and begins blended delivery: workplace training, online learning and college sessions

Ongoing reviews, assessments and end-point assessment planning follow throughout the programme.

What Employers Need to Know Before Supporting a Learner

Before an employee starts training, employers should understand:

The learner’s eligibility and expected time commitment
The apprenticeship level and qualification outcome
An application form and course details are shared with the employer
Level 2 Veterinary Care Support Certificate (Animal Care and Welfare Apprenticeship)
Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (leading to RCVS registration)
Salary and employment arrangements (learners are paid employees)
The role and responsibilities of the Clinical Supervisor or Mentor
The requirement to provide protected time for learning, assessments and visits
Apprenticeship funding routes and any employer contributions

GVNC provides guidance at every stage to ensure expectations are clear.

Employer Responsibilities During Training

As the employing practice, you will:

Provide supervised, hands-on clinical experience across a suitable caseload
Ensure the learner has regular supervision from a named Clinical Supervisor or Mentor
Release the learner for scheduled college days, online tutorials and reviews
Support portfolio evidence, assessments and practice visits
Maintain a safe working environment with appropriate staffing and equipment

Protected learning time and supervisory capacity are essential to successful apprenticeship delivery.

Clinical Supervisor & Mentor Support

Clinical Supervisors and Mentors play a vital role in learner development.

Their role includes:

Coaching and supervising clinical skills
Providing feedback and signing off workplace evidence
Liaising with GVNC tutors during visits and reviews
Supporting learner wellbeing and progression

Support from GVNC includes:

Clear guidance and mentoring resources
Tutor and IQA support during practice visits
Advice on assessments, portfolios and end-point preparation
Role-specific training and annual standardisation
One free online CPD session annually, plus access to further CPD at reduced cost
Employer Enquiry

Practice Visits & Ongoing Support

GVNC aims to visit each learner’s practice at least twice per year, with additional visits or remote meetings arranged as needed.
Visits typically include:

Observation of the learner in practice
Review of progress and portfolio evidence
Meetings with the learner and Clinical Supervisor
Targeted teaching or demonstrations
Feedback and action planning
Monthly learner progression dashboard
Termly reports

Our hybrid model ensures training integrates smoothly into normal practice activity.

Funding & Apprenticeship Costs

Apprenticeships are funded through the government apprenticeship funding system.

Levy-paying employers use their apprenticeship levy funds
Non-levy employers access Department for Education co-funding
GVNC provides guidance and administrative support for both routes

Employers are responsible for the learner’s salary and statutory employment costs. Training costs, mandatory qualifications, examinations and the first EPA resit are included within the agreed funding arrangement.

CPD & Wider Practice Benefits

Practices supporting GVNC learners benefit from:

Upskilled staff and improved retention
Access to college expertise and resources
Free Clinical Supervisor / Mentor training and standardisation
College-based and remote CPD opportunities
Advice on bespoke in-practice training where required

Supporting apprentices allows practices to grow skilled, confident teams from within.

Employer FAQs

Work With Us

If you employ a member of staff who wishes to train through an apprenticeship, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Register your interest
Speak to our training team

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