Solihull Solihull Chamber Patrons


A career in animal care


Solihull College & University Centre and the RSPCA have joined forces to provide a new animal care and welfare assistant apprenticeship. Seventeen students from RSPCA centres all


over the country have enrolled on the course, where they will study all aspects of animal behaviour and handling. Among those joining the programme are


Laura Metcalf, 35, from Liverpool and Glenn Baird, 52, who covers Worcester. Laura said: “In my career I wanted to do


something I was passionate about. I previously worked in the police so the RSPCA was a career change for me. I love my role but I had no real animal experience, so the apprenticeship will help to build a good grounding.” A number of those on the apprenticeship have


had previous career changes. Glenn, like Laura, entered the RSPCA after he worked in the prison service as a drug dog handler and then the military, working with dogs and explosives. He said: “After leaving the military I struggled with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) for


Caring for animals: Laura Metcalf and Glenn Baird


two years. I got a dog and I started to feel better. Animals clearly helped me so I decided to volunteer and worked at a cattery before beginning my ACO role at the RSPCA. “The apprenticeship is a very positive thing.


The general public are happy to see us in our role when we arrive on a scene so the more experienced and knowledgeable we are, the more we can excel in our role.”


Prestigious offers


for musicians of note Two gifted musicians at The Sixth Form College, Solihull have secured offers from the Royal Welsh Conservatoire. Elly Newcombe and Neve Lawrence have been


offered places at the prestigious music school following a challenging audition. During the audition, Elly had to give a


performance on the cello, and Neve on the tuba. Neve, aged 18, and formerly of St Peter’s


School, said: “I thought nerves had affected my performance in the audition, but I’m happy I got an offer. I have a really specific ambition, which is to play tuba in the London Symphony Orchestra.” Elly, aged 18, and formerly from Tudor Grange


Academy, said: “My ambitions are to be in a pit orchestra or a chamber group, so I hope studying at the Royal Welsh Conservatoire will help me to get there.” Music teacher Chris Phelps is proud of the


achievements of both girls. He said: “Both Elly and Neve got offers from both the Royal Welsh Conservatoire and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and it is very competitive to get into both institutions, so well done to them.”


April 2019 CHAMBERLINK 43


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