WCG Apprentice with a lifelong love of animals, kick starts her career

A teenager with a lifelong love of animals has begun an apprenticeship that will kick-start her career and see her play a key role in the development of her employer’s business.

Halle Forster, 18, started volunteering at Purdy’s Pet Shop on Cheveral Avenue in Radford, Coventry, shortly after the business opened in January last year.

Shop owner Becky Harrington was so impressed with her contribution that she has now taken her on full-time as an apprentice, studying Animal Care and Welfare Level 2 through WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group).

Becky said: “When I opened the shop, I decided I wanted to give a young person the opportunity to get into this sector, someone with a different energy and dynamic, and new ideas. Halle had been volunteering with us and proved her worth, so I decided to take her on.

“Putting Halle onto an apprentice was key really, because I want to really push forward into grooming and care, and to work with live animals it’s essential that as a team we have the required expertise and knowledge. What Halle will learn during her apprenticeship will be vital for the information that we pass on to our customers.”

Halle, a former student at Coundon Court, said: “When I finished school, traditional college studies didn’t really appeal to me so I’m really happy to have found my way onto this apprenticeship. I feel I’m learning so much from being in the shop day-to-day and will be able to build on that practical experience through my apprenticeship studies.

“I’ve always loved animals. I’ve ridden horses since I was three and have dogs too, so it’s a natural progression to me to be working with animals.”

WCG is the largest college training provider for apprenticeships in the Midlands, training more than 2,500 apprentices each year and working with over 1,100 employers.

The Government’s apprenticeship incentive scheme closes on 31 March 2021. Ahead of the deadline businesses will be entitled to payments of £2,000 for apprentices aged between 16 and 24 and £1,500 for apprentices aged 25 and over.

To find out more about apprenticeships, contact WCG’s Business Development Team on 0330 135 6940

E: employerenquiries@wcg.ac.uk

W: wcg.ac.uk/employers