Recent equine vet graduates are to be given more help in securing a foothold in the industry after a recent survey showed that there may be up to five times as many graduates as there are jobs available.
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has a launched an internship awareness programme to help provide greater support for young people entering the saturated market.
As part of the initiative, a detailed list of current UK equine internship providers will be made available online, along with basic information about the experience offered and the type of candidate sought.
A committee made up of BEVA Council members, private practice and university representatives has been created to help to improve training opportunities.
“The current mismatch of veterinary graduates versus jobs available in equine practice is concerning,” said Vicki Nicholls, BEVA council member and internship awareness programme working party member.
“So it is ever more important that we give young graduates as much support as possible.”
The new scheme was launched at the BEVA conference last week (11 September) and will be rolled out in stages over the next three years.
Outgoing BEVA president Keith Chandler added: “Equine practice is a rewarding and fulfilling career, but there are many entry routes and supporting students and graduates to enter an internship programme is something which we are proud to be involved with.”
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (19 September 2013).
