Document Actions
Otley backs new HE campaign
Otley College has backed a £3.74 million pound government scheme aimed at encouraging Level 3 learners to progress to higher education (HE) courses in animal related studies.
In partnership: Rob Bamford (Otley College) with John Butcher (VETNET LLN)
They - VETNET LLN - are a government-funded organisation that will support UK animal care education centres over the next three years, thanks to this massive cash boost.
This initiative aims to open up new opportunities for young people - and mature students - who aspire to careers working with animals, and make (HE) animal care courses more widely accessible, especially to those coming from colleges.
“People assume that you need A-levels to progress onto an HE course but that is simply not the case,” said Rob Bamford, Section Leader of Animal Studies at Otley College.”
“In fact, the foundation degree at Otley has proven to meet the objectives by successfully providing students with the skills required by employers, for example a former student – Kate Shurlock is employed at a vets in Colchester.”
“It has also allowed students to academically progress and former student - Amy Clampin - is now on a full time degree programme at Plymouth University studying on a BSC in Animal Science Behaviour and Welfare.”
“And some of the students who took this route at Otley, were lucky enough to go to South Africa to see a variety of species in their natural habitat and that is the kind of project that is part of the foundation degree at Otley.”
“All in all Otley College fully support this project and we are delighted to be promoting Level 3 routes to higher education,” he added.
“This project recognises the national and regional importance of the animal care related professions, and also the particular challenges we face in widening participation by groups who have traditionally been under-represented in this type of education,” said John Butcher, the VETNET LLN Easter Regional Manager.
“We are delighted that Otley College has signed up to this campaign. We will be giving them our full support in our mission to give more people - from different educational backgrounds and environments - HE opportunities in animal care related studies.”
