Training
The University of Bristol has considerable expertise in short training courses. It is intended that a series of short courses (see below) are available to support the Bristol Welfare Assurance Programme.
Entry level training
- 2 day course
- Potential assessors would be introduced to the concepts of welfare assessment in certification systems and be provided with illustrated explanations of the welfare assessment techniques. They would also receive an explanation with numerous examples of the links between animal-based outcomes and existing welfare standards and management plans. A format of lectures and small group discussions is used to promote the active participation of trainees. Video clips are used to illustrate the examples. The course would provide sufficient knowledge and understanding for participants to undertake preliminary on-farm assessments.
Upper level training
- 5 day course
- Competency assessment
- For those assessors that wish to demonstrate full competency in the welfare assessment technique a 5 day course followed by a period of supervised experience is recommended. The initial course would cover the material in the entry level course plus on-farm element that would apply the welfare assessment on a dairy cattle, pig and laying hen farm environment. A period of supervised experience followed by an on-farm evaluation of trainee should provide an assurance that the assessor is consistent. This full upper level course will be required for those assessors wishing to enter data into the Bristol web-based database.
Training is available to all organisations that are members of the User club (foundation or standard members). For further information please email us at Welfare-Assessment@bris.ac.uk