How iPet Network is Redefining Qualifications in the Pet Industry

In today's episode, Clayton sits down with Fern Gristie and Sarah Mackay, the founders of the iPet Network, to discuss their journey in the pet care industry and the establishment of their awarding organisation. They share their experiences in dog grooming, training, and the challenges they faced in finding qualified professionals due to a lack of accessible qualifications. Fern and Sarah also look into the importance of regulated education in the animal care sector, highlighting the creation of over 55 qualifications that cater to various aspects of pet care, from grooming to veterinary science. https://www.ipetnetwork.co.uk/  KEY TAKEAWAYS The iPet Network was established by Fern Gristie and Sarah Mackay to address the challenges in the pet care industry, particularly in dog grooming education and qualifications. They aimed to create a more accessible and regulated training environment for aspiring pet professionals. The founders recognised the need for a new awarding organisation to provide qualifications that met industry standards. They went through a rigorous two-year process with Ofqual, the UK government agency that regulates qualifications, to ensure their programs were credible and met the needs of the market. iPet Network offers over 55 regulated qualifications in various areas of animal care, including dog grooming, cat grooming, dog walking, and veterinary science. This diversity allows learners to pursue specialised training that aligns with their career goals. The organisation emphasises the importance of quality assurance in training. They work with experienced consultants to develop robust qualifications that ensure learners meet industry standards, ultimately benefiting both the professionals and the animals they care for. iPet Network aims to remove barriers to entry in the animal care sector by providing flexible learning options, including apprenticeships and qualifications that allow individuals to earn while they learn. This approach helps to create more career opportunities in a field that is often seen as unregulated. BEST MOMENTS "We want to make sure that the education we’re offering benefits the lives of animals and people." "There's so many eventualities you would never have considered that, but yes, it's happened." "The qualifications that we create only sit within that market, because this is the market that we know particularly well." "It's about safety for the dog and for the groomer." "You don't need to go around the houses and be told that actually there's barriers. There's not barriers." HOST BIO Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few.  Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica). As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals.https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/ https://www.tiktok.com/@petbusinessdisruptors https://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors