The new subcommittee will be responsible for the coordination and oversight of arrangements for VetGDP.

The RCVS is seeking members to coordinate the new scheme.

Veterinary surgeons are being sought to join the RCVS Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP) subcommittee to help guide the future direction of the VetGDP scheme. 

The subcommittee will be responsible for the coordination of arrangements for the VetGDP programme on an ongoing basis, and was approved by the RCVS Education Committee at its May 2021 meeting. The subcommittee is expected to meet three times per year, and will report directly to the Education Committee. 

Launching for the summer 2021 cohort of veterinary graduates, the VetGDP will provide these graduates with one-to-one support in the workplace from trained VetGDP advisers. The programme aims to support graduates through the transition from study to work, helping them to develop confidence and assurance in their work, ensuring that they are valuable members of their practice teams. 

The RCVS is seeking a broad range of applicants, including representatives from first opinion practice, independent practices, corporate practices, MsRCVS working in non-clinical roles, new or recent graduates, and VetGDP advisers. Also being sought is a lay member experiences in a similar graduate development programme. 

The subcommittees primary activities will involve overseeing and updating VetGDP policy and guidance documents; receiving and considering periodic quality assurance reports and advising action where appropriate; deciding on exemptions from the VetGDP; managing the EPA bank, and overseeing updates of the VetGDP Adviser training.  

RCVS director of education, Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, said: “VetGDP has already got off to a very promising start with the training having started for over 1,250 VetGDP Advisers who will be ready to support our new UK graduates in veterinary workplaces across the country from this summer.

“With the initial launch well underway, we are now establishing this Subcommittee to oversee the quality assurance of the programme, the ongoing accreditation of veterinary workplaces and continual improvements to the programme, including support for VetGDP Advisers and graduates involved.

“To help meet these aims we are now seeking up to 10 veterinary surgeon members for this new Subcommittee. Applicants can be from all fields of veterinary medicine and science, the key is that they should have some familiarity with the VetGDP and a keen understanding and interest in the needs of new graduates and how best to support them.”

Applicants are invited to send a concise email to VetGDP@rcvs.org.uk outlining their experience of the needs of new graduates, and what they feel they could bring to their role on the subcommittee. 

The deadline for applications is Monday 2 August 2021.