Virtual

Protecting Animal and Plant Health with APHA

Job sector

Agricultural & Environmental

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This programme is open to anyone aged 13+

Certificate of completion

Between 6 - 8 hours worth of content

Overview

Across this course, you will gain an insight into the work of APHA and its role in protecting animal, plant, and environmental health across the UK. You will explore the science, technology, and fieldwork behind disease prevention, as well as the importance of biosecurity, safety, and collaboration. The course also highlights real-world applications, from plant and pollinator protection to on-the-ground support for farmers and communities. Finally, you will discover the wide range of careers at APHA and the skills needed to succeed in this sector.

What’s Included

Through this Virtual Work Experience, you will explore key concepts, industry insights, and skills that will prepare you for a future with APHA. You’ll take part in interactive content, quizzes, and fun activities to help build your understanding.

You’ll be introduced to APHA, outlining its mission and key responsibilities in protecting animal and plant health. You’ll explore APHA’s role in supporting the UK through disease prevention, agricultural support, and environmental protection, and how APHA collaborates with DEFRA and other partners to manage risks and respond to health threats. Ultimately, you’ll gain an understanding of why APHA’s work is vital for food security, trade, and society.

Explore the science behind APHA and how research underpins its work in protecting animal and plant health. You will learn about the laboratories and specialist facilities used to study diseases and develop solutions. The module also introduces how scientific testing helps identify and respond to outbreaks quickly. Finally, you will discover how data and technology are used to analyse trends, predict risks, and support decision-making.

Uncover the importance of health and safety at APHA, including how to protect people, animals, plants, and the environment. You will explore key biosecurity and hygiene practices used to prevent the spread of disease. The module also introduces professional behaviour and ethics expected in scientific and government roles. Finally, you will understand the importance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration when working with others.

No matter where you see yourself working in the future, strong employability skills will help you get there. This module is all about the key skills that employers value – like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving – and how you can start developing them now. You’ll learn how these skills work together in real jobs, reflect on your own strengths, and make a plan to build the areas you want to improve.

Available dates

On Demand

Programme dates

15th June 2026 - 29th January 2027

Eligibility criteria

Age range

FROM 13 YEARS

Hear from our student community

“

Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student

Thank you for all your time and effort. The program was by far the best experience I’ve had virtually compared to other virtual experiences I’ve done. I liked the layout and the interactive activities, and I learnt a lot I didn’t know. I would definitely recommend this program to others; it was a great experience I would love to do it all again.

“

Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton

I enjoyed understanding the many professions and areas within journalism that I had not been able to clearly separate prior to this programme; I particularly enjoyed the photojournalism and broadcast journalism sections, as they allowed me to explore a less conventional writing style than what I would normally use. The interactive tasks were a great way for me to demonstrate and put into practice my new knowledge, and all of the videos were extremely concise and helpful.

“

Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student

A huge thank you to everyone who made this programme possible. It was a fantastic experience, and I feel more confident in myself now when applying for a job position in the future and in my personal life. I valued this experience because I realised it was okay to make mistakes and how they make you stronger for future events. I loved how efficient the Barclays team was when students and the professionals who ran the live webinars asked questions. The skills I've learnt through this virtual work experience will be used for future endeavours. So once again, thank you so much.

Frequently asked questions

When will I hear back if I have been successful with my application?

Once you have applied for your programme, you will receive a confirmation email. You will be notified about the outcome of your application via email at least 3 days before the programme start date. Good luck!

Can I apply to multiple programmes?

Yes, you can sign up to multiple programmes with us. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any potential clashes.

Who can take part in the programme? (Age limits, some programmes have location constraints but most don’t etc.)

Most of our programmes require students to be in school/college. Some programmes require students to be based in specific regions of the UK, this is stipulated by the organisations themselves, and is not defined by Springpod.

However, the ages mentioned on our programmes are more of a guideline than a strict limit. As such, we more than welcome older students to apply as well!

How long does it take for assignments to be reviewed?

Assignments can take up to a week or longer to review and be marked complete. Rest assured, it will be reviewed soon and your certificate will be generated once your programme has been marked as complete.

What do I do if I upload the wrong file?

If you make a mistake when uploading a file, please email hello@springpod.com. We will be able to make a note on our system. Don’t worry, the outcome of your programme will not be affected by this.

How long will I have to complete this programme?

There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).

When does the programme start?

Our programmes have various start dates, you can find the exact date on the programme website page. These are available here: https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/search

You will be notified if your application has been successful, 3 days before the programme start date.

What happens if I can't finish the work experience in time?

All programme material will remain accessible after the end date of the programme. Students can continue to work through their programme after the official end date. Although, if possible, we would strongly encourage students to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions.

How much work is required for these programmes? (Will I be able/should I complete more than one programme at a time)?

There is around 10 hours worth of work in total, spread across a two week period. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any work whenever possible.

When do the programmes run? (programme structure etc.)

Once you have access, you can view and complete the material as and when you can, within the time frame of the course in question (for example, within a two week period). In total, there is around 10 hours worth of work. The live talks will take place during weekday working hours. However, all live talks will be available as recordings and the courses can be completed at your own convenience. . There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).

What happens if I can't make a live talk/webinar?

All live talks will be available as recordings. You can access these at the same link used to access the live event. So don’t worry if you can’t attend a live webinar, a recording will be available for you to access through your programme within 24 hours of the live event finishing.

What software is required for the live talks?

We use a piece of software called BigMarker. It is a cloud based video hosting software. It requires no installations or downloads on your end, and will provide everything you need to join the live webinars through one simple link.

Will I be able to ask questions/do I have to have my microphone on?

You will have a chance to ask questions at the end of each webinar. These questions are typed out and then read to the presenter by the host of the live talk. There is no need to speak, and all student microphones will be muted for the duration of the live webinar.

Do you offer in-person work experience?
We don't directly manage in person work experience but many of our virtual programmes can lead to in person opportunities, look for the programmes marked as 'Virtual to Reality'. You will need to complete the virtual programme and declare your interest via the embedded form.
When will I hear if there is an in-person opportunity?
Our employer partner will contact you directly about any opportunities, timescales can vary Springpod won't be able to provide any updates on progress.

Ready to find out if this career is right for you?

Start now

Protecting Animal and Plant Health with APHA

Kickstart your future

This programme is open to anyone aged 13+

Certificate of completion

Between 6 - 8 hours worth of content

Introduction to APHA

Science at APHA

Plant and Bee Health

Vets, Field, and Customer Centres

Staying Safe and Professional

Your Future at APHA

Employability Skills

Available dates

Eligibility criteria

Hear from our student community

Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student

Wilfred Williams, Year 12 Student from London

Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton

Ellinor Comard, Year 12 Student from Teddington

Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student

Jack Zhou, Year 12 Student from Kingston upon Thames

Frequently asked questions

I have a question about my application or programme eligibility

I have a question about my assignment

I have a question about the programme dates, deadline or workload

I have a question about the live talks

I have a question about the certificate

I have a question about in-person work experience

I want to delete my account

Ready to find out if this career is right for you?