Animal care programme plays important role
Programmes such as an introductory animal care qualification play an important role in Unitec’s dual-sector profile,
says CEO Dr John Webster.
Dr Webster said that the Certificate in Animal Care, an NZQA-approved vocational qualification offered by the
institution, is a prime example of the pathways into higher education that Unitec was creating.
“Unitec is a dual-sector institution, which means we offer introductory certificates all the way to professional
doctorates. Maintaining strength in our vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate divisions is at the heart of our
philosophy and qualifications such as the Certificate in Animal Care play an integral part in our unique profile.”
The Certificate is approved by the New Zealand Veterinary Association and takes a year of part-time study to complete.
Graduates can gain employment in the animal care industry, but many choose to continue their studies at Unitec.
Dr Webster said that Unitec’s introductory programmes allowed people who had not succeeded in secondary school education
to gain the skills and confidence to find employment or staircase into higher study.
“The Certificate in Animal Care is a qualification in its own right and, like all of Unitec’s programmes, its
development was driven by the needs of employers and industry and its academic standards are rigorously maintained. But
it also prepares the students for our higher-level qualifications such as the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or the
Bachelor of Applied Animal Technology – programmes for which they may not have met the entry criteria otherwise.”