A Growing and Vital Sector in the UK

The UK’s animal care industry plays a significant role in both the economy and society. Recent figures highlight the scale and continued growth of the sector:

• The UK veterinary services industry is valued at over £6.9 billion and employs approximately 84,700 people according to an article released by IBISWorld.
• Demand for qualified professionals continues to rise, driven by a growing pet population, advances in veterinary medicine, and increased public awareness of animal welfare.

These statistics make one thing clear, animal care is a significant and expanding employment sector. But with this growth comes the responsibility to ensure that standards remain high and that the workforce has the skills and training to meet the complex needs of animals in a variety of settings.

Our Role as an Awarding Organisation

As an Awarding Organisation, we recognise our responsibility to support the UK animal care sector by developing Ofqual regulated qualifications that are relevant, respected, and responsive to change. These qualifications sit within our Skills and Education Group Awards awarding body.

To ensure our qualifications reflect real world needs, we have a dedicated Product Development Manager who works closely with industry stakeholders, including employers, training providers, and subject specialists. This collaboration ensures that our qualifications meet industry standards, reflect current best practices, and prepares learners for successful employment in the sector.

We are proud to offer a large portfolio of animal care qualifications, covering a wide range of roles and specialisms, from entry-level to Level 6 Diplomas.

Our qualifications are designed with clear progression pathways, enabling training providers to support learners throughout their educational journey. Whether someone is just starting out or aiming to specialise in areas such as animal behaviour, welfare, or veterinary support, our qualifications open the door to meaningful and rewarding careers.

This flexible and progressive approach helps ensure that learners are not only employable, but also well-positioned to grow within the sector over time too.

Why Animal Care Training Matters

Well trained professionals are the backbone of high quality animal care. Investing in comprehensive, up to date training provides benefits across the board:

• For learners, it creates real opportunities for employment and advancement in a growing industry.
• For training providers, it enables delivery of relevant, credible programmes that meet the needs of learners and employers.
• For employers, it ensures a pipeline of capable, compassionate staff ready to contribute to high standards of care.
• For animals, it leads to better health, welfare, and treatment, which is the ultimate goal of this sector.

The UK animal care sector continues to grow; in value, visibility, and importance. As an Awarding Organisation, we are proud to play our part by developing qualifications that support this growth and uphold the highest standards.

By working closely with the industry and offering a broad, progression-focused qualification portfolio, we are helping to ensure that learners are equipped to make a real difference to animals, to employers, and to society.

Support the Future of the Animal Care Sector

If you’re committed to animal welfare or dedicated to developing the next generation of professionals in the sector, we’d love to hear from you.