Certificate III in Pet Grooming

This course is in transition. The course code, title, units, and content may change in the future. Further information will be provided upon enrolment, or during the course of your training.

Training package entry requirements

There are no training package entry requirements for this qualification.

GOTAFE preferred entry requirements

Before being accepted into the course applicants must:

• Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
• Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
  
• Be over 17 years of age and either employed in a grooming salon or able to attend all classes on campus
• Have the physical stamina to safely handle a variety of animals
• Have a basic level of digital literacy to undertake the online component of the course
• For Apprentice and Trainee courses, please apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider (australianapprenticeships.gov.au) with your employer to organise an apprenticeship/traineeship contract prior to applying for this course.
  

NOTE: It is recommended that all successful applicants be immunised against tetanus and any allergies to pet hair or washing products are controlled.

Assessment methods may include:

• Written assignments
• Grooming portfolios including photo and video evidence if required
• In class and/or online discussion forums
• Short answer questions
• Animal recognition photographs
• Practical skills demonstration
• Oral assessment – this may be conducted face to face or via skype/phone/zoom
• Third-party reports

Sherryn Smith

It is important students commit to all course requirements, including study and assessments the student may need to complete outside their normal training sessions.

Students are required to attend all on-campus classes and webinars as well as complete approximately 15 hours per week of online self-paced learning.

It is highly recommended students attend the extra on-campus seminars delivered by industry experts. The times and dates for these seminars will be sent out at the beginning of each semester.

Once participants reach competence in both theoretical and practical skills they may be deemed competent and this varies for each individual student, many achieve this at the 12 month mark.

Placement: 40 hours placement to be completed in first 6 months

For workplace-based students, their trainer will also meet them in the workplace four times a year to conduct observational assessment and training.

Workplace-based students may not be required to attend all on-campus grooming classes. This will be discussed with the course coordinator prior to enrolment.

Material fees cover all online and on-campus learning resources and consumables, including the required textbook; Notes From The Grooming Table; author Melissa Verplank; White Dog Enterprises Inc. ISBN-10 0975412809 ISBN-13 978 0975412800, a grooming apron and mask.

Students will need to provide their own stationery items.

Some commonly asked questions:

1. Do I have to buy my own equipment to use?

No, we provide everything. We find as students develop a love of grooming they start to purchase their own equipment but they do not need this for class, we have start of the art equipment and premises on which to work with.

2. How many students will be in my group?

Maximum of 8 - we operate the salon as a working salon. If you start your dog for the day, you finish the dog with the help from the teacher but as much like a real workplace as possible. Real workplaces are not viable if you need four people working on a dog, and we aim to show you how best to work independently so you are work ready.

3. Do you get me a job at the end?

No, we don't, but weekly we are asked if we have students suitable for varying workplaces. We only recommend our students to workplaces we feel match the student and will be the best outcome for them. Our employability rate last year was 94%, groomers are in very high demand.

4. I have anxiety issues, will I be ok?

Our small class sizes are perfect and we will try to match you to a group with like minded people.

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

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Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.

Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:

• Aspirations/career goals
• Educational attainment and capability
• Literacy and numeracy skills
• Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Enrolment in general public entry courses will require a selection interview. Please call 1300 468 233 to enquire further.

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

• Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.