Animal Welfare Training AWT
Training, education and consultancy in animal welfare worldwide
Train the Trainers
Program delivery
The AWT training trainers program comprising modules 1 - 8 is delivered over a maximum of 24 months in the host country. A maximum of 30 delegates may start each program.
NB : Single / multiple species programs are available on request.
Module 1 - 3 days duration - initiation of the program requires delegates to consider issues of training and preparation before embarking on the course material. This initial preparation is essential since the course focus is on ‘how to train’ rather than ‘being trained’ and so delegates must reorientate themselves from being students to being potential tutors.
Modules 2 - 8 run over 2 days each. An important aspect of the program structure is that detailed presentations relating to key welfare issues are delivered within modules 1 - 5 ( see info below ). These modules can be taken by delegates who require more detailed understanding of welfare and quality during primary processing but do not necessarily wish to become tutors. Modules 6 - 8 constitute ‘core skill’ modules for delegates wishing to progress to delivering authored courses in red meat animal welfare.
Certification
Each module is certified by Animal Welfare Training Ltd. Successful completion of all modules results in final certification as a trainer. For certification of resulting courses with AWT accreditation ( EU / UK requirement ), indigenous courses must be assessed every 3 years by AWT staff ( renewal ).
AWT do not provide completed course material for delegates at the end of the program since the whole point of the course is to facilitate and enable indigenous trainers to create their own courses sympathetic to their requirements. However, the information / media obtained by AWT staff from module 0 ( fact finding and training needs analysis ) are presented to delegates within modules 6 & 7 to enable the immediate creation of training material within the course, and subsequent delivery of training courses.
The outcome of the program is the establishment of indigenous trainers and training courses in red or white meat animal welfare & quality during primary processing within any country, organisation or company.
Between each module, AWT require intercalated projects to be undertaken by delegate groups, or individuals. These small projects subsequently place genuine data into the trainers modules thus adding value to the delegate understanding of the industry and the issues being discussed.
Modules 1 - 7 are certified by AWT Ltd. Successful completion of the program leads to certification as trainers ( module 8 ).
Training trainers program - White meat (poultry)
Module 0. Assessment, Fact Finding & Training Needs Analysis ( 7+ days )
This does not constitute a training module as such although some consultancy usually takes place as part of the visit. AWT staff working closely with professionals within the company that is proposing to host the Educational Program. Confidential Media and information is gathered covering all relevant areas of production, from hatchery, farm, transport, stunning, slaughter, killing and quality. A training needs analysis is conducted to outline the program structure and the target audience.
Module 1. Hatchery and on-farm welfare ( 3 days )
Introduction to concepts, moral and ethical arguments of Animal Welfare during production, transport, stunning & slaughter and it's direct effect on carcass, meat quality and assurance.
Hatchery - in shell and hatching welfare and disease issues, placement - losses and environmental challenges. Early days - exposure to pathogens, human conditioning, inspection. Growing period - common disease and welfare impacts, causes of poor growth and loses, welfare impact of metabolic, enteric, skin and skeletal disease. House inspection, culling of birds, policies for removal of sick animals litter, air, light and housing factors in disease and welfare.
Module 2. Understanding Depopulation, transport and lairage ( 2 days ). Probably the most important area of animal welfare for food production is the relationship between man and animal. This is generally described as 'Stockmanship'. The true significance of stockmanship as well as the knowledge and skill required to protect animal welfare is now much better understood. This module seeks to explain and reinforce the requirement for 'better practice' during food production. It also leads into the complex but practical aspects of pre-slaughter restraint and transport leading to stunning and/or slaughter.
Module 3. Understanding Hang on, Stunning, Slaughter, Killing and Quality ( 2 days )
Detailed introduction to understanding unconsciousness as well as the definitions of stunning, slaughter and killing. This module will clearly demonstrate the complex nature of the stunning, slaughter or killing process following shackling of the live bird. It draws on modules 1 and 2 to demonstrate the requirement to provide for humane stunning, slaughter or killing as well as technical aspects of equipment, simple physiology and / or requirement for 'religious slaughter'.
Module 4. Abattoir Welfare Assessment ( 2 days, abattoir visit required as practical component )
Introduction to the assessment process of welfare within the abattoir. The module is authored to accommodate both commercial and traditional practices. Drawing from tool kits 1, 2 and 3, the abattoir welfare assessment module seeks to include both moral / ethical as well as technical and procedural aspects of assessment. Objective and subjective assessments can be made which are sympathetic to local knowledge and resources as well as international company requirements.
Module 5. Understanding Codes of Practice and Assurance ( 2 days )
Introduction to the basis for and the authoring of Animal Welfare Codes of Practice within white meat production. The basis for legislation and the relationship between legislation and COP's. Introduction to Assurance within white meat production. Drawing on modules 1, 2, 3 and 4, the COP module includes and accommodates both moral / ethical as well as technical and procedural aspects of production within the company and uses the welfare assessment directly from module 4.
Module 6. Welfare Program Development 1 ( 2 days ). Detailed introduction to Welfare program development. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of modules 1-5 this module explains the process of identifying the criteria for simple vocational course development. The course includes initial discussions on tutor team requirements and course requirements leading to the construction of a short program of training sympathetic to the trainees and resources available.
Module 7. Welfare Program Development 2 ( 2 days ). Continuing from Welfare Program Development 1 this module explains the process of identifying the criteria for more detailed course development aimed at more senior staff within the plant / management / veterinary or government position. The course includes initial discussions on tutor team requirements and course requirements leading to the construction of a short program of training sympathetic to the trainees and resources available.
Module 8. Welfare Program Assessment ( 2 days )
This module provides for assessment of the indigenous tutors and the delivery of the resulting training course or program. AWT staff conduct the assessment of the course in association with the indigenous tutor team to assist in course development and quality assurance of the resulting program.
Training trainers program - Red Meat species
Module 0. Assessment, Fact Finding & Training Needs Analysis ( 7+ days )
This initial module of the program does not constitute formal training. It is however an essential component of the program structure since it provides for an opportunity to orientate subsequent modules to indigenous knowledge and resources. As well as providing a ‘first contact’ opportunity with AWT staff and professionals in the relevant sectors of government, academia and the meat industry with whom AWT will subsequently develop and deliver the program, at a practical level it facilitates the collection of relevant data, media and first hand experience of key welfare issues that will subsequently be authored into a bespoke program of training for the recipient country. A training needs analysis is conducted to outline the program structure and the target audience.
Module 1. Understanding Welfare and Quality
( 3 days, lecturing and discussion groups )
Detailed introduction to concepts, moral and ethical arguments of Animal Welfare during production, transport, stunning & slaughter and it's direct effect on carcass, meat quality and assurance. This module seeks to explain the concept of welfare and it's application to farm animals. It is a necessary starting point especially in countries where the concept is misunderstood or absent through lack of knowledge and understanding.
Module 2. Understanding Stockmanship & Restraint ( 2 days, lecturing and discussion groups ). Probably the most important area of animal welfare for food production is the relationship between man and animal. This is generally described as 'Stockmanship'. The true significance of stockmanship as well as the knowledge and skill required to protect animal welfare is now much better understood. This module seeks to explain and reinforce the requirement for 'better practice' during food production. It also leads into the complex but practical aspects of pre-slaughter restraint leading to stunning and/or slaughter.
Module 3. Understanding Unconsciousness, Stunning and Slaughter
( 2 days, lecturing and discussion groups )
Detailed introduction to understanding unconsciousness as well as the definitions of stunning, slaughter and killing. This module will clearly demonstrate the complex nature of the stunning, slaughter or killing process. It draws on modules 1 and 2 to demonstrate the requirement to provide for humane stunning, slaughter or killing as well as technical aspects of equipment, simple physiology and / or requirement for 'religious slaughter'.
Module 4. Abattoir Welfare Assessment
( 2 days, lecturing and discussion groups, abattoir visit required as practical component )
Introduction to the assessment process of welfare within the abattoir. The module is authored to accommodate both commercial and traditional practices. Drawing from tool kits 1, 2 and 3, the abattoir welfare assessment module seeks to include both moral / ethical as well as technical and procedural aspects of assessment. Objective and subjective assessments can be made which are sympathetic to local knowledge and resources.
Module 5. Understanding Codes of Practice and Assurance
( 2 days, lecturing and discussion groups, resulting in authoring Codes of Practice )
Introduction to the basis for and the authoring of Animal Welfare Codes of Practice within red meat production. The basis for legislation and the relationship between legislation and COP's. Introduction to Assurance within red meat production. Drawing on modules 1, 2, 3 and 4, the COP module includes and accommodates both moral / ethical as well as technical and procedural aspects of production sympathetic to local knowledge and resources.
Module 6. Welfare Program Development 1
( 2 days, lecturing and discussion groups )
Detailed introduction to Animal Welfare program development. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of modules 1-5 this module explains the process of identifying the criteria for simple vocational course development. The course includes initial discussions on tutor team requirements and course requirements leading to the construction of a short program of training sympathetic to the trainees and resources available.
Module 7. Welfare Program Development 2
( 2 days, lecturing and discussion groups )
Continuing from Welfare Program Development 1 this module explains the process of identifying the criteria for more detailed course development aimed at more senior staff within the plant / management / veterinary or government position. The course includes initial discussions on tutor team requirements and course requirements leading to the construction of a short program of training sympathetic to the trainees and resources available.
Module 8. Welfare Program Assessment
( 2 days ). This module provides for assessment of the indigenous tutors and the delivery of the resulting training course or program. AWT staff conduct the assessment of the course in association with the indigenous tutor team to assist in course development and quality assurance of the resulting program.
Training trainers program - Red meat