Vet school rumours spark BVA fears
Image: Q&A Panel
Rumours that two more UK universities could be planning to open veterinary schools have heightened fears that there may be more graduates than available jobs.
The issue was raised during a question and answer session at the recent VPMA/SPVS Congress. BVA president Peter Jones voiced his concerns as panel members and delegates were discussing the impact of the new school in Surrey on the job market.
"There are rumours that two more universities...are planning to make similar announcements," he said. "That's the real worry because if we keep having new schools then the pressure [on graduates looking for work] will get even greater."
Mr Jones spoke of the BVA's intention to engage with the ministerial team responsible for higher education, to see if veterinary undergraduates will continue to be subsidised. "Can they keep doing this if there are two or three more schools, and what are the implications for the employment situation? There are some real discussions to be had on this and we at the BVA intend to be a part of them," he added.
The BVA quickly voiced opposition to the University of Surrey's new school when it was announced in November, and according to Mr Jones their stance has not changed: "Our position at the BVA is quite clear: we don't need another vet school in the UK." However, he added he was "encouraged" by a recent meeting with Lisa Roberts and colleagues from the university. They gave "reasonable answers" to the BVA's questions and explained the new school will be focused on steering graduates with different skills into employment.
RCVS president Jacqui Molyneux however, said the assertion that graduates are struggling to find work is inaccurate. "We are not over-producing vets and there are a lot of openings outside general practice vets could be going into, but don't because at the moment they all find employment in practice," she said. In response to suggestions that the RCVS should stop the new school going ahead, she added that this is not the role of the College.
Despite these assurances, Mr Jones remained concerned that certain sectors of the profession are already oversubscribed, such as equine practice. He referred to reports from Keith Chandler and Ben Mayes of the BEVA that graduates looking to work in the equine sector could only get unpaid internships, something which Mr Jones termed "a real problem."
VPMA president Helen Sanderson added her concerns about the already fierce competition for EMS placements, which she fears will only get worse. "I have been bombarded with applications, but there is a limit to the number of people you can take. We just run out of places and I am concerned there are not enough places for the increased number of students."
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
