Description

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This Certificate III level course is designed for those who are interested in pursing a career as a Keeper in the animal care industry. Typical duties of Keepers include the daily care of animals including preparing animal diets; feeding; training and conditioning; monitoring and maintaining health; capturing, restraining and assisting in moving animals; monitoring reproduction; maintaining animal exhibits; monitoring behavioural needs; implementing improved husbandry; and assisting in animal collection management. Keepers also interact with the public, providing educational information and experiences to the visitors. 

Duration

The course is presented over a two-year period, with classroom sessions conducted once per fortnight. Students are also required to attend Taronga Zoo one day per week to perform the daily duties of an intern Keeper under supervision. Students are also required do undertake course work in their own time.

Assessments

Course assessments are a combination of written answers to questions, reports, projects, observations of students performing tasks, and supervisor reports.

Units

The Certificate III comprises of 14 units (10 core units and 4 elective units) all of which must be successfully completed to gain the Certificate III in Captive Animals

Core Units

RUV3001A  Carry out workplace OH&S procedures

RUV3402A  Work within a captive animal institution

RUV3403A  Prepare and present information to the public

RUV3404A  Assist with collection management

RUV3406A  Prepare and maintain animal housing

RUV3408A  Prepare animal diets and monitor feeding

RUV3409A  Monitor and maintain animal health

RUV3410A  Capture, restrain and assist in moving animals

RUV3412A  Monitor animal reproduction

RUV3414A  Identify behavioural needs and implement improved husbandry

Elective Units

RUV3405A  Develop an institutional husbandry manual

RUV3407A  Maintain exhibits and assist in their design

RUV3411A  Care for young animals

RUV3413A  Condition animals

Content

The Certificate III course covers the essential duties of a Keeper in the animal care industry. Included are the following topics:

  • Working safely in a captive animal institution
  • Preparing and presenting information to the public
  • Assisting with animal collection management
  • Praparing and maintaining animal housing/exhibits
  • Animal exhibit design
  • Preparing animal diets and feeding routines
  • Animal health and behavioural neads
  • General health and well being of young animals
  • Capturing, restraining and moving animals
  • Animal conditioning
  • Animal reproduction
  • Development of an animal husbandry manual

Pathways

Upon successful completion of RUV30204 Certificate III in Captive Animals, further study options may be available external to TTI including RUV40204 Certificate IV in Captive Animals and RUV50104 Diploma of Animal Technology.

Entry Requirements

Students of this course must have the New South Wales School Certificate (or equivalent) as a minimum; and have completed Certificate II in Animal Studies, or have worked in an animal care industry for a minimum of one year. Students of this course must also be able to demonstrate good English skills, both verbal and written; and basic numeracy skills. Access to an animal care workplace is also a requirement to enable the practical components of the course to be undertaken. For TTI students, this workplace is required to be Taronga Zoo (Sydney). In this regard, all enrolled TTI students will be assured the required and planned access to Taronga Zoo.

Who is the course provider?

This Certificate III course is provided by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia's Taronga Training Institute, which is a Registered Training Organisation.  The Taronga Conservation Society Australia is a leading zoological institution and operates both Taronga Zoo (Sydney) and Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo). 

Where is the course run?

The course's classroom sessions are conducted fortnightly at Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, Sydney. Students are also required to attend Taronga Zoo one day per week to perform the daily duties of an intern Keeper under supervision.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)/Recognition of Current Competency (RCC)

TTI provides a process for assessing and recognising prior learning/current competency, which is the acknowledgement of an individual's current skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work and/or life experience. TTI provides a person eligible for RPL/RCC with an RPD/RCC Kit, which details the evidence which must be supplied by the individual to enable their competency to be assessed and determined by a qualified assessor of TTI.

Refund Policy

Students are advised to give careful consideration to their course enrolment decision as enrolled students are only eligible for a full refund of course fees if TTI cancels the course; or if the student advises of their cancellation at least ten (10) working days prior to the commencement date of the course.  An administration fee of $20 will apply to students who cancel their enrolment.

How to Enrol

To enrol in this Certificate III in Captive Animals complete the enrolment form and return with payment. You will be notified by mail of your acceptance.

For any questions, please contact the Taronga Training Institute on (02) 9978 4746 or email tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au.