The European Professional Zookeeper Qualification Framework is an Erasmus+ project, coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Since 2015, Aeres Group is partner in this project.
Zookeeper training opportunities vary greatly across Europe. While some countries have standardised formal qualifications, resources and standardised training opportunities are lacking in many other countries. This has resulted in a clear skills gap in professional zookeeping in many European countries.
The goal of the EPZQF project is to develop a European Professional Zookeeper Qualification Framework identifying the key competencies required to be a professional zookeeper working in an EU zoo, and to design several training modules to help staff reach the expected competency levels.
The EPZQF project is coordinated by EAZA, in partnership with zoos, regional associations, and educational institutions: Chester Zoo (UK), Sparsholt College (UK), Romanian Zoo and Aquarium Federation (Romania), Zagreb Zoo (Croatia), Kaunas Zoo (Lithuania), Wrocław Zoo (Poland), EAZA and Aeres Group (The Netherlands).
Aeres is represented by educators from locations Aeres MBO Almere and Aeres MBO Barneveld. More information can be found at:
- http://www.zookeepers.eu
- http://www.eaza.net/about-us/areas-of-activity/epzqf
- https://www.facebook.com/ZookeepersEU