Joint RCVS and VSC news

Following the Veterinary Schools Council’s inaugural survey of veterinary employers in 2017, the veterinary schools have now joined forces with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to launch a new survey for employers of recent graduates.

This joint survey will continue to give employers a means of providing their insights on recent graduates from veterinary schools of the UK and Ireland, while reducing the number of survey requests that employers receive from individual veterinary schools. The survey results will also provide valuable information about Graduate Outcomes such as preparedness for practice, and experience of the Professional Development Phase, against which any future changes in policy can be evaluated.

In the 2017 survey, employers commended the communications skills and empathy of graduates while rating them lower on financial and business management. The new survey will enable veterinary schools to see any shifts since that time, while previous feedback on the survey’s format has been incorporated to make it simpler and clearer for employers.

In addition to the employer survey, the Veterinary Schools Council is launching a parallel survey for graduates, providing further insights into how veterinary education can respond to the needs of the workplace. This too will support future educational development work carried out by the RCVS.

Professor Ewan Cameron, Chair of the Veterinary Schools Council and RCVS Council member, said:

‘Two years ago we made a commitment to an improved and ongoing conversation with the employers of our graduates. Since conducting that first survey we’ve met with employers’ groups to discuss the findings, the veterinary curriculum and the complexities around areas such as emotional resilience.  

‘Vet schools and employers working together is part of optimising the transition for new vets into the workplace. Another key voice is that of the recent graduates themselves, which is why we are introducing a new national survey for three-to-five-year graduated vets as well.

‘This desire to listen and adapt is how our vet schools became ranked among the very best in the world. We look forward to continuing the dialogue and helping to create the profession of tomorrow.’

Professor Susan Rhind, Chair of the VSC Education Committee, said:

‘As educators we want our decisions to be evidence-based, so this survey will be invaluable to informing our work in readiness for practice. Over time we are hoping to build a full picture that reveals trends. This will provide a strong basis for the allocation of resources to certain areas, as well as direction for conversations with employers.

‘As the workplace evolves so too must veterinary education. We’re very pleased to make the voice of employers a part of this process. The more people who respond to the survey, the more meaningful the insights will be.’

Professor Susan Dawson, Chair of RCVS Education Committee, added:

‘A key component of the Graduate Outcomes project has been that the RCVS as regulator should work very closely with the vet schools so that they are working towards the common goal of making sure that veterinary graduates are the right fit for the profession and the improvement of that transitional stage. We are very glad to be working with the VSC on this survey, to ensure that we have relevant information against which the impact of future educational interventions can be measured. The honest and frank feedback of employers and graduates on how veterinary education is working – and where it is not – is vital for our aims.’

UPDATE: The surveys are now closed and results will be published at the end of 2019.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK and sets, upholds and advances veterinary standards, so as to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare.
2. The Veterinary Schools Council is the representative body for veterinary schools in the UK, Ireland and Netherlands. Consisting of seven UK members and two non-UK associate members, it provides a source of informed opinion on matters concerning veterinary education, from the welfare of students and academic researchers to links with government and industry. We engage in representative and policy work to ensure that the voice of veterinary schools is recognised for its experience, innovation and commitment to the proper care of animals. For more on the work of the Veterinary Schools Council, see: vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk.
3. The Veterinary Schools Council Employer Survey 2017 was the first unified survey of employers by veterinary schools. Respondents were asked for feedback on the performance of their most recently employed graduate from a UK, Irish or Dutch veterinary school. It can be found at: vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/VSC-Employer-Survey-November-2017.pdf
4. The recent QS World University Rankings placed Veterinary Schools Council members in five of the top ten veterinary science courses in the world, including the top spot. The rankings can be seen here: topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2019/veterinary-science
5. The Graduate Outcomes consultation asks for the views of all veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary students and other stakeholders in a broad range of areas related to how veterinary students are educated and trained, and how recent graduates are prepared and supported into life in practice.It has grown out of the joint RCVS and BVA Vet Futures research project, which found that there was often a mismatch between the expectations of veterinary graduates and the reality of veterinary practice. This, in turn, can lead to problems around recruitment and retention and stress and mental health.The consultation encompasses four core areas identified by the Graduate Outcomes Working Group. These are:

• Day One Competences
• The Professional Development Phase (PDP)
• Extra-mural studies (EMS)
• Clinical education for General Practice

6. For queries on this press release please contact Edward Knight, Senior Communications Officer, Veterinary School Council, on 020 7419 5427 or edward.knight@vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk.