Call for veterinary employers to join Graduate Outcomes Group

The RCVS is looking for veterinary employers to join a group that will be considering future options for Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) and Clinical Education for undergraduates as part of the RCVS Graduate Outcomes project.

The Vet Futures initiative highlighted a number of issues relating to the education of veterinary students, which needed to be reviewed in order to ensure new graduates are well equipped to enter the veterinary workforce. These issues included;

1. EMS – to maximise the value of this experience for students, and address the observed variation in quality across providers.
2. Which environments and clinical contexts would be the most effective to equip veterinary students with the full range of clinical skills and Day One Competences needed to enter the veterinary workforce.
3. What the potential benefits and limitations of allowing an increase in tracking within the curriculum could be.

Through the Graduate Outcomes consultation, the profession provided feedback on these issues, and a way forward has been agreed by the RCVS Education Committee. This includes exploring options for the future implementation of EMS and clinical education within the veterinary degree programme, and a review group has been established to take this forward.

We are looking to recruit additional members to the group, specifically veterinary employers, both corporate and independent. The group already contains academics, and student representatives will also be invited to join.

The first meeting is planned for the end of July, with the date to be confirmed amongst the group once membership is agreed. We anticipate there being three or four meetings in total, held every few months. We are currently hosting meetings remotely, however future meetings may be held in London. Expenses and Loss of Earnings will be reimbursed.

If you are interested in joining the group, please submit an application in writing to [email protected] by Thursday 16 July. If you would like any further information before applying, please also feel free to enquire to the same address.