Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants 2024-25

This adult study programme has been designed to give you the best start to a career in dog grooming. It is designed for learners in the early stages of their dog grooming careers to build confidence, knowledge and understanding of the dog grooming industry, and develop the skills needed to work under supervision in a dog grooming salon.

On successful achievement of this programme you will have achieved a:

• C&G Level 1 Diploma in Land-Based Studies, which will give you an insight into the animal-human relationship and the wider responsibilities of dog ownership and care.
• 60 hours of industry relevant experience.
• C&G Level 2 Certificate Dog Grooming Assistant.

Learners will gain an understanding and experience of the requirements of working in a busy dog grooming salon from performing reception duties and preparing animals for grooming to performing basic grooming of the dogs coat.

As part of this course learners are required to undertake 60 hours of work placement within a dog grooming environment to build their experience, confidence and speed.

• Safe Working Practices
• Animal & people relationships
• Animal domestication
• Preparing and grooming dogs prior to bathing
• Bathing of dogs
• Drying dogs and preparing a dog for styling
• Carrying out trimming of a dog’s coat to prepare for styling
• Moving and lifting dogs
• Maintaining the cleanliness and biosecurity of the dog grooming environment
• Professional conduct
• An introduction to anatomical features, breed characteristics and behaviour of dogs

Students who complete this course are likely to pursue a career as a dog grooming assistant, dependent on skills and experience.

Potential progression onto a Level 3 qualification in dog grooming on completion of this course, or similar subjects.

Ideally learners wishing to progress internally onto the Level 3 Certificate at East Durham College will have gained a Merit overall in the Level 2 qualification.

Direct Entry: GCSE maths or English at Grade 4 (or equivalent) plus recent, relevant industry experience (subject to a competency assessment).

OR

Progressive Entry: Successful Achievement of the Introduction to Dog Grooming (C&G Level 1 Award) GCSE maths or English at Grade 4 (or equivalent).

This course is physically demanding. You should expect to be on your feet most of the time and be able to safely lift and handle large dogs.

Ideally learners will have gained a relevant Foundation Certificate in Dog Grooming or equivalent to gain entry onto the Level 2 course.

Other industry experience and skills may be considered for entry onto the course however this is at the discretion of the course manager and will be dependent on a competency assessment.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

The assessment for this qualification will require you to achieve:

• A theory exam will cover the knowledge and understanding within the qualification and a synoptic assignment which requires the learners to identify and use effectively in an integrated way an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the content area.

• You will also complete some smaller multiple choice exams and written assignments.

September 2024 and February 2025 (Exact start dates TBC).

The course is offered on a part time basis over the course of 20 weeks.

Delivery will include both in class theory and practical sessions in Houghall's Dog Grooming Studio.