Zookeeper
Animal keeper is a job title in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the title for the associated state-recognized training occupation . The area of responsibility generally includes the professional and species-appropriate care, supervision and care of animals in z. B. zoos , research institutions, breeding farms, animal shelters and animal boarding houses. The working hours are irregular and also include weekend and holiday services.
Vocational training in Germany and Switzerland is divided into three subject areas. In Austria, a focus is set which is based on the three disciplines .
Job description and subject areas
The job description is differentiated into three fields of activity, which also correspond to the subject areas of vocational training:
Research and Clinic
The focus of activity is on the breeding , care and care of laboratory animals and the care of sick or injured animals. In addition, animal keepers in this area participate in examinations and treatments and clean and disinfect the animal accommodation. Typical companies are research laboratories, university clinics, universities, as well as animal clinics and veterinary practices.
“Research and Clinic” is also the name given to the specialty of German vocational training for this training area. In Switzerland the specialty is called "laboratory animals".
Zoo animal care
The area of responsibility in this field of activity includes, among other things, the employment of the animals according to the aspects of behavioral enrichment, their care, care and the establishment and maintenance of the accommodations. In the context of the conservation of threatened animal species , an activity in the field of breeding / rearing is also possible. In addition, animal keepers in this field also help with visitor care and public relations work . The support of veterinary measures is also part of the field of work.
Zoo keepers work in zoological gardens, nature parks, animal and game enclosures as well as operators of aquariums and terrariums.
“Zoo” is also the name of the specialty of German vocational training for this field of activity. In Switzerland it is called “Wild and Zoo Animals”.
Animal shelters and pensioner care
Animal keepers in this department focus on the care, keeping and care of the animals entrusted to them, as well as customer and visitor care. Raising dogs falls into this area as well as public relations and administration. Graduates of this branch of training mainly find employment in animal shelters , animal boarding houses and dog schools.
"Animal shelter and boarding house" is also the name of the specialty of German vocational training. In Switzerland it is called “pets”.
education
In Germany and Austria, an apprenticeship contract with a training company is required for training to become an animal keeper. All larger zoos and zoos and some wildlife parks offer apprenticeships for the zoo specialization. Many animal shelters and some boarding houses for dogs and cats, but also for horses or other pets, offer training places in the field of animal homes and boarding houses. Finally, you can also complete a training position in the field of research and clinic, either at a clinic for large animals or pets / small animals or at a research facility with animal husbandry (e.g. institutes at universities).
In general, the training includes basic knowledge of the anatomy of animals as well as the acquisition of knowledge about keeping, feeding, caring for and transporting animals. Animal and environmental protection , as well as corresponding legal regulations, should be conveyed, as well as the basics of occupational safety and work and company organization.
Germany
The apprenticeship as animal keeper is regulated in the Vocational Training Act (BBiG). The three-year dual training with specializations takes place in the training company and in the vocational school. In the third year of training, students specialize in one of the three subjects listed above. After about half of the training, the responsible IHK (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) conducts an intermediate examination. The training is completed after three years with a practical skill test as well as a nationwide written knowledge test. Zoo keepers can accumulate skills and knowledge during their job that qualify them for promotion to district animal keeper.
Austria
The apprentice is also trained for three years in the dual system. The prerequisite for starting the apprenticeship is completing the nine years of compulsory schooling. Most of the apprentices, however, have a secondary school and / or polytechnic degree. Depending on the training company, a focus is set in one of the three above-mentioned areas of activity. The training ends with the final apprenticeship examination . A master craftsman examination is not planned. For higher qualifications at colleges, technical colleges and universities in Austria you usually need the vocational matura (vocational maturity examination), which is made up of the final apprenticeship examination and four other exams.
Switzerland
The training to become an animal keeper EFZ ( French Gardien d'animaux CFC , Italian Guardiano di animali AFC ) lasts three years. The subjects offered are pets, laboratory animals and wild animals.
Advanced training (Germany)
For further professional training there is the possibility to acquire the master craftsman's certificate for all three subjects.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Federal Institute for Vocational Training: Certificate Supplement for animal keeper specializing in research and clinic. Federal Institute for Vocational Training, accessed on July 22, 2019 .
- ↑ Federal Institute for Vocational Training: Certificate Supplement for the Apprenticeship Profession Animal Caretaker Specializing in Zoo. Federal Institute for Vocational Training, accessed on July 22, 2019 .
- ↑ Text of the ordinance on vocational training for animal keepers
- ↑ Hanover Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Animal keeper - sample tasks for final exams. Hanover Chamber of Commerce and Industry, accessed on July 22, 2019 .
- ^ Robert Pies-Schulz-Hofen: The zoo keeper training. Georg Thieme Verlag, 2004, ISBN 978-3-830-44134-2 , p. 291 ( limited preview in the Google book search).
- ↑ Training ordinance for animal keepers Austria ( Memento of the original from November 16, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 75 kB) valid since 1997
- ↑ Further training ordinance "Certified Animal Care Master". Retrieved July 22, 2019 .
Web links
- Professional association of zoo animal keepers
- Keepers in Berufenet the Federal Employment Agency
- Detailed training and further education information for Austria from the Institute for Economic Research: BerufsInformationsComputer (BIC)
- Professional and industry information from the Austrian Chamber of Commerce