← All apprenticeships · Agriculture, environmental and animal care · ST0789
Level 3Advanced · A-Level equivalent

Keeper and aquarist

Responsible for the everyday care and husbandry of the animals within the collection.

Typical duration
2 years
Training funded
up to £7,000
Route
Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Standard ref
ST0789
Where this apprenticeship leads
ZookeeperAI exposure 5% · Low
Starting out
£20,000 - £25,000
Experienced
£26,000 - £32,000
Senior
£35,000+
Full career profile - salary progression, top employers, AI outlook →

Role overview

A keeper and aquarist cares for animals in zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, and safari parks, ensuring their physical and behavioural wellbeing. Apprentices learn to feed, monitor, and enrich the lives of animals while educating visiting members of the public. The role can lead to senior keeper, curator, or wildlife conservation positions.

Careers this apprenticeship leads to

Salary progression, top employers and day-to-day reality for the roles this standard prepares you for.

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