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Enrolments are now being taken for a Certificate III in Captive Animals at the Yallah campus of TAFE NSW.
The new course is the result of a partnership between TAFE NSW and Symbio Wildlife Park and includes a work placement at the family-run zoo near Helensburgh.
Symbio general manager Matt Radnidge said it will be a great opportunity for many people to have such training now being offered locally in the Illawarra.
"Before this people would have had to travel to Richmond, Bankstown, Ultimo or do it online," he said.
Mr Radnidge said there was no shortage of interest in people wanting to become zookeepers.
"We literally cannot take the number of people who want to apply for positions here," he said.
"Four times a year we have intakes and we have up to 100 people each time wanting to come and be a volunteer.
"Anything to do with animals is always very popular.
"It is great to see TAFE is committing to more courses that involve animals because wildlife need all the help they can get."
Mr Radnidge said many of the volunteers now at Symbio would be interested in the new course.
"Yallah has a perfect set-up for it," he said.
"It is very similar to Richmond. It is a rural setting with plenty of space and opportunities for practical observations on site."
Mr Radnidge said the new course was important because it would provide the real hands-on animal husbandry skills required to help rehabilitate species in the wild.
He said the work Symbio was doing with frog and turtle species almost decimated by bushfires just over a year a go was one example of that need.
And it will be great to have more people with the skills to help care for such animals and ensure their survival.
TAFE NSW Animal Studies teacher and long-time zookeeper Rebecca Ryman said the course would provide the minimum required qualification for zookeepers.
And students would undertake a work placement at a local zoo as part of their studies.
"We are blessed to have so many high-quality zoos in NSW, including Symbio Wildlife Park, and it's such an interesting industry to be a part of," she said.
"If you have a true passion for animals, it's the best job in the world."
The Certificate III in Captive Animals covers units including animal welfare; capturing and restraining animals; and working in the zoo industry. Find out more here
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
