Pathway
Animal Fundamentals
Gain skills applicable to the fundamental care and management of animals including feeding, animal health, equipment operation and service, and facility maintenance.
Length of Apprenticeship: One year. Youth Apprentices can enter the Animal Herd, Small Animal/Veterinarian Technician or Dairy Grazier pathways for a second year.
Job Competencies
Youth apprentices must complete a total of 10 competencies per year. Nine must be from the list below. If necessary, employers can substitute up to 1 competency per year with another occupationally appropriate skill. That skill should be added to the competency list for assessment. Note that where necessary, skills can be simulated.
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- Clean and maintain animal quarters
- Handle animals safely
- Mix feed and additives
- Manage animal waste
- Monitor animal physical characteristics for health
- Assist with animal exam
- Collect diagnostic samples for food and/or testing
- Maintain animal care and business records
- Assist with inventory control
- Examine facility business and marketing plan
Related Instruction
Students must enroll in 1 High School Credit or 3 College Credits of related instruction each year they participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Purpose of Related Instruction
The purpose of choosing a related instruction course is to ensure students are learning technical and academic skills that support the student's ability to perform their work tasks. This should be done concurrently with on-the-job training to make relevant connections between learning competencies and work.
Choosing Related Instruction
You will collaborate with your YA Coordinator and School Counselor to determine the most appropriate option for related instruction. A course within your high school directly related to the career pathway is ideal, especially if dual credits and/or hours related to a potential registered apprenticeship are offered.
If there is not a directly related course in your school district, related instruction in the same career cluster is also acceptable.
If there is not a course within that career cluster in your school district, you may request to register for a college course through the Start College Now program with a local technical college, Early College Credit from a local university, or from an alternative provider such as Destinations Career Academy.
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- Animal Science
- Large or Small Animal Science
- Veterinary Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Agribusiness
- Business or Consumer Math
- Statistics
- Technical Math or Math for the Trades
- Oral/Interpersonal Communication
- Speech
- Technical Writing & Communication
- Written Communication
- Computer Literacy
- Computer Science
- Career Development/Employability Skills
- Entrepreneurship or Intro to Business
- Independent Living
- Leadership and Civic Engagement Courses
- Personal Financial Literacy or Consumer Economics
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- Animal Science Fundamentals
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- Animal Science I & II
- Vet Science
- Ag Biotechnology
Post Secondary
There are numerous opportunities to continue your education after completing the Youth Apprenticeship program.
Registered Apprenticeships
The Animal Fundamentals pathway can bridge into a registered apprenticeship as a Dairy Grazier
College and University
- Major in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the Universities of Wisconsin.
- Enroll in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources program at the Wisconsin Technical College System.
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Events
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