Last week, FdSc Animal Management students from SMB College Group’s Brooksby Campus went on an exciting trip to Envigo Hillcrest Laboratories, a privately held contract research organisation here in Leicestershire.
While at Envigo, the students were able to gain valuable work experience, shadowing experienced Animal Technicians, donning appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment), maintaining strict biosecurity, using animal isolator systems, managing colonies of breeding stock, maintaining husbandry, providing enrichment, sexing, and conducting health assessments.
The students then got to experience working as a Breeding Programme Manager, designing their own breeding programmes using genetic principles and allowing them to apply their knowledge to a real industry scenario, while being supported by industry experts.
Beth Prior, Animal Management Lecturer and Veterinary Nurse at SMB College Group, wrote ‘the team of Animal Technicians were extremely knowledgeable and took great pride in their work, working hard to provide the best possible welfare for the animals in their care.’
The day was also filled with seminars from veterinary surgeons, animal technicians and breeding programme managers, who spoke about career opportunities within the industry, relevant legislation and industry codes of practice. The day proved invaluable to the students, teaching them both the theory and practical aspects of working as an Animal Technician with Envigo.
Envigo prides itself in delivering scientific excellence and outstanding customer service through providing the broadest range of research models and related services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, government, academia and other life science organisations. Their work has even included supporting the recent development of the COVID 19 vaccination.
SMB College Group celebrates its relationship with Envigo, having provided guest talks in the past and engaging with students to inform them about career opportunities – they are a large local employer, providing employment opportunities that our students can progress straight into. They also offer training and excellent career progression opportunities; Envigo Hillcrest have several Brooksby Campus Animal Care alumni working at their facility as Animal Technicians and Breeding Programme Managers. The managers at the organisation speak very highly of the quality and employability of Animal Care students from SMB College Group.
Here at SMB College Group, we are continuously proud of our students for upholding our values outside of campus and continuing to invest in their education. We look forward to seeing our relationship with Envigo develop as our students continue to learn and grow.
Find out more about what it’s like to study Animal Management with SMB College Group at www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk.