Apprenticeship as an animal caretaker

You can look forward to a solid and comprehensive apprenticeship, supported and guided by experienced experts. You are not on your own: through our apprentice network, you can connect with other trainees, exchange ideas, and support one another.

To help you get off to a strong start, you benefit from the wide range of development opportunities within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – and you also have access to our e-learning tool, allowing you to continue learning flexibly at any time.
 

Your work-life balance also matters to us: with flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home, there is plenty of room for friends, family, and free time.

And because an apprenticeship is not just about learning but also about living, you can enjoy many additional benefits: attractive discounts through our corporate benefits program, 30 days of annual leave, a company pension plan, and a staff restaurant offering meals at reduced prices.

Your apprenticeship usually lasts three years, with a 39-hour work week – an exciting time in which you will grow step by step into your profession.

After your onboarding, your main responsibilities will include:

• Caring for and feeding laboratory animals
• Following all guidelines for animal welfare and humane handling
• Cleaning and disinfecting animal housing rooms and cages
• Breeding animals
• Assisting in the preparation and conduct of studies
• Assisting with veterinary examinations
• Working in different housing environments
• Documenting tasks and procedures using specialized software
   

Your vocational school

Your vocational school is the Justus von Liebig School in Hannover-Ahlem Hannover-Ahlem. 

Your apprenticeship follows a dual model: theory at school and hands-on practice with us. In your specialization in research and clinical work, you attend school once a week – eight to nine hours focusing on the key subjects relevant to your profession. These lessons cover learning fields five to nine of the training framework plan, preparing you optimally for your future role.

• A good secondary school certificate
• Sensitivity when working with animals
• A strong sense of hygiene, order, and cleanliness
• High level of responsibility and reliability
• Willingness and ability to perform physical work
• Teamwork skills
• Good German skills and basic knowledge of English

Have we sparked your interest? Our application process typically begins at the end of the previous year and runs until the end of January. Set yourself a reminder and apply for an apprenticeship as an IT specialist at Fraunhofer ITEM in Hannover – #ChangeStartsWithYou!

For our apprentices, the framework conditions – including pay and vacation entitlements – are defined by the collective agreement for apprentices in the public sector (TVAöD), ensuring transparency and fairness. You can find the current version of the TVAöD here.

You will also enjoy additional benefits such as a company pension plan, a Christmas bonus in November, and a learning materials allowance when you start your apprenticeship.