Pet business owner expands into training for new recruits – Greenock Telegraph
A PORT pet business owner is opening up the in-demand industry to new recruits by offering training in Inverclyde.
Christina O’Donnell from Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Services has just become one of only seven salons certified to train the next generation of groomers.
The businesswoman, whose salon has been open since 2017, will be able to offer qualifications in dog and cat grooming, canine first aid, feline first aid, canine care, as well as dog walking and sitting through training provider iPET Network.
Christina hopes that offering the courses will open the industry up to more people.
She said: “I have had kids come in who maybe struggled who have then really excelled.
“It really does help to develop because they have that passion for animals.
“There’s definitely a future in this industry.
“I’m having to turn people away on a regular basis because it is so busy.
“The good thing is that the qualification I run can be done in two ways.
“People that are already grooming, or pet-sitting, or dog walking or whatever can do it remotely and at their premises.
“But for people who are new to the industry and doing this for the first time, they can then have practical experience by coming here. ”
Christina, who has a background in training, hopes to see qualifications introduced in colleges and would like to see dog grooming to be recognised by Skills Development Scotland as an official apprenticeship.
She said: “Right now if people want qualifications, they need to pay around £5, 000 for them and do not get any funding for them usually.
“I need to charge for the training We provide as well to cover my costs.
“Working with animals should be as accessible as becoming a hairdresser, or a barber, or a joiner, or an electrician.
“There should be some sort of programme that people can be developed in, it’s wrong that there’s not.
“This is just the start – a stepping stone.
“My masterplan is to get grooming accessible for people – particularly young people – at schools and colleges and for the job to be seen as a serious profession across the board. ”