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Information for employers

The VetGDP is a high-quality, workplace-based development programme created in collaboration with the UK veterinary professions. It enables employers to provide structured, one-to-one support to new graduates, helping them build confidence and strengthen their professional capabilities from day one.

Vets and cat

On this page: 

Who should participate?

The VetGDP is for all vet graduates who: 

1. Qualified in or after summer 2021
2. Are starting their first professional role
3. Have not yet completed the VetGDP

It also applies to:

  • UK-qualified vets returning to the UK register after a break of 5+ years.  
  • Vets who qualified abroad, or UK-qualified vets who practised abroad and have less than 18 months' experience in a comparable role. 

Please note: exemptions may apply. 

Key benefits 

  • Boosts recruitment: offering the VetGDP will help you attract high-calibre employees by demonstrating your commitment to supporting your team's professional growth. 
  • Improves onboarding: the VetGDP helps graduates refine everyday skills and become confident, competent team members faster.
  • Enhances workplace culture: the VetGDP fosters a supportive environment that boosts employee confidence, resilience and retention and enhances team cohesion. 

How to become VetGDP-approved

To be recognised as a VetGDP-approved workplace, you must:   

  1. Have at least one VetGDP Adviser on the team. Vets with a minimum of three years' experience are eligible to become VetGDP Advisers. They must complete the required e-training and submit a declaration to support graduates via their RCVS My Account. Additionally, they need to add a relationship with their practice within their My Account.
  2. Once the VetGDP Adviser has completed their declaration, the practice must submit the VetGDP practice/workplace declaration. This is typically done by the designated senior vet via the practice’s RCVS account

How to log into your practice account

Every practice or workplace has a My Account with a unique username. This is the same username used to log in to STANLEY in the PSS scheme. 

Unsure of your username?

Email [email protected] with your practice postcode for help. 

Promoting your VetGDP-approved status

Promote your accreditation by:

  • Displaying the VetGDP logo on your website, email signatures, social media, and job ads
  • Updating your details on Find a Vet (graduates actively look for VetGDP-approved employers).

Video: VetGDP information for employers 

This short animation highlights key points to consider when recruiting an employee who needs to undertake the VetGDP.

Below the video, you'll find a VetGDP checklist for employers. 

Video transcript

The Veterinary Graduate Development Programme – VetGDP – helps new graduates develop their professional and clinical capabilities in the workplace.

New graduates must be employed in a VetGDP-Approved Graduate Development Practice or Workplace.

Vets who are returning to work after a period of five plus years away from the UK practising register must also enrol onto the VetGDP, although they may be able to apply for exemption in certain cases, for example, if they have been working overseas.

Becoming a VetGDP-approved Graduate Development Practice or Workplace involves having at least one VetGDP Adviser who has completed the online training and agreed to support the graduate for at least one hour per week.

We’ll also ask that employers engage positively with the programme and quality assurance activity, allowing protected time for the graduate and VetGDP Adviser each week. 

In order for your ‘approved’ status to be recorded, the appointed senior vet in your practice must make the VetGDP declaration.

This step-by-step guide shows you how.

Once you have completed your declaration, you’ll be able to download the VetGDP logo and other resources from your practice My Account.

You can add these to your website and recruitment pages to help graduates identify you as a potential employer.

Your status will also be displayed on ‘Find A Vet’. All graduates know they need to look for the logo when they are job seeking.

Vets who have been on the UK practising register for at least three years could become a VetGDP Adviser.

We’ll provide online training which counts as CPD.

Graduates will record their progress through the VetGDP in their e-portfolio, and their VetGDP Adviser will also have access to add their feedback.

Graduates must demonstrate that they can perform all activities within their role without support – that they have become a competent, confident vet.

They should agree with their VetGDP Adviser when the time is right to submit their e-portfolio to the RCVS for peer review and sign off.

We expect it to take around one year but may take more or less time than this.

Need further help? Feel free to get in touch.

VetGDP checklist for employers

  • Your employee will need to complete the VetGDP if they:
    ● Graduated in or after 2021 and haven't yet completed it
    ● Qualified overseas, or qualified in the UK before practising overseas, and have less than 18 months' comparable experience
    ● Are returning to the UK Register after a 5+ year break
  • To become a VetGDP-approved workplace: 
    1. Ensure your have a VetGDP Adviser who has completed the e-training and signed the declaration in their My Account.
    2. Submit the VetGDP practice/workplace declaration through your practice My Account. 
  • Once you have completed the VetGDP declaration, you can download the VetGDP logo and other resources from your practice's My Account. Adding these to your website, emails and job postings will help job seekers easily identify you as a VetGDP-approved employer. 
  • Ensure you update your practice details on Find a Vet to include your approved status. Graduates know to look for VetGDP accreditation when job-seeking. 
  • Graduates have up to 18 months to complete the VetGDP. If more time is needed, they should email the VetGDP team at [email protected] to discuss their options.
  • If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Make the VetGDP practice/workplace declaration

This must be done by the appointed senior veterinary surgeon (typically the person responsible for veterinary medicines).

Employers must have a trained VetGDP Adviser on their staff before they can make the VetGDP declaration.

The declaration must be submitted via the practice or workplace My Account. 

To make the declaration:

1. Log into your practice or workplace My Account
2. Select VetGDP from the top menu
3. Click 'Declaration to become a VetGDP practice'
4. Read and tick all boxes and submit. 

Need help? 

Email [email protected] with your practice postcode.

           

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