Graduate Development Programme
Vet Graduate Development Programme
Nationwide Opportunities
Vet Graduate Development Programme
Vets for Pets is proud to be one of the largest veterinary groups in the UK with a national network of practices (of all shapes and sizes) run by Practice Owners who enjoy clinical freedom and the autonomy to do things their way.
Beyond all else, we’re committed to animal health and welfare, and we absolutely put pets first. The most powerful relationships we have are with pets and the people who love them. This is at the heart of everything we do and always will be. Our practices are supported by dedicated business professionals based in our Support Office who have the expertise to help them thrive.
We’re all about doing the right thing for pets and the people who love them. And that starts with developing, empowering and supporting our graduate vets to be their very best. With hands-on surgical training and courses in subjects like cardiology, radiography and dermatology, our programme gives you the confidence to put your knowledge into practice.
What to Expect
Our programme is packed with essential skills and knowledge that will give you a toolkit for not only getting established, but to also enable you to thrive in practice.
Whether your aspiration is working in one of our locally owned practices, our 24/7 hospitals or going on to own your own practice, we have the opportunities and support in place to help you make your dreams a reality.
A bit about our programme:
- A 2-year programme, funded centrally through our support office, designed to support newly graduated vets (<2 year)
- Dedicated support with recruitment and the Graduate Programme runs alongside practice employment
- Approximately 100 graduates on each cohort so lots of networking opportunities with other graduates
- An exciting 2 day induction to welcome you to the programme
- 20 days of organised CPD both clinical and non-clinical
- A dedicated Vet GDP Adviser in each practice
- Non-clinical group coaching sessions
- Regular GP case-based discussion groups hosted by experienced vets within our Veterinary Services Team
- Additional pastoral support for both practices and graduates
- Access to our Aspire Programme - a unique, online, self-study programme designed to cement those
- Essential day-one skills
- Three optional study units in year 2 of the programme, allowing you to pursue your own specific interests
- On completion of your programme, ongoing learning and development opportunities targeted to your interest areas and individual career goals
What can we offer you?
Our Benefits
Here at Vets for Pets we really appreciate our colleagues, and strive to provide an excellent range of benefits and rewards that leave them feeling valued and motivated
- Starting salary of at least £38,000 per annum, with reviews after each year on Programme
- 150 hours of CPD
- Support from your dedicated Vet GDP advisor in practice, regional support, your graduate team and graduate community
- Access to our new Clinical Academy for career development
- Group colleague discount of 20% for you (plus one family member) including Pets at Home (in-store and online), Groom Room salons, Companion Care and Vets for Pets practices*
- Access to a discount platform which gives you lifestyle offers including shopping, eating out and gym membership and access to your Reward Hub for wellbeing support and reward information
- Discount on Pet Plan Insurance policies
- Life Insurance for four times your salary
- RCVS and BVA membership paid for whilst you’re employed with us*
- Group Pension contributions
- Access to the Cycle to Work scheme
- Access to our Aspire Programme - a unique, online, self-study programme designed to cement those essential day-one skills
- Relocation support and relocation packages for inside or outside of the UK*
- Fully funded visa sponsorship support for international colleagues making the move to the UK (we’re an A+ rated sponsor)*
*These are practice dependent and at the discretion of your individual practice to offer or not
Support
We understand how important your first job is, which is why our passionate and dedicated Graduate Team will work with you in matching you to a practice that best suits you. From the moment you submit an application, you will be supported each step of the way.
Throughout the programme, you will always have access to your dedicated Graduate Team, who are here to help you every step of the way and are on hand to help with any queries you may have. As well as the Graduate Team, you will be able to contact your Veterinary Development Manager and Business Development Partner. They are field based and know each of your practices as individual environments.
Our 2-year CPD programme is designed by Vets, for Vets. With our network of over 1,300 vets across our online and clinical communities - and the dedicated guidance of a Vet GDP Advisor - you’ll receive personalised mentorship, feedback, and career support every step of the way.
Our Practices
Proud to be part of the Pets group, which includes Pets at Home and Pets Grooming, Vets for Pets is one of the UK’s largest veterinary groups, with a national network of over 450 locally owned, locally operated practices.
You’ll train on the job with experienced Veterinary Partners, at a pace that works for you. We’ll find you a role that fits you, in terms of location and culture fit. And, with Vets for Pets and Companion Care practices of all shapes and sizes across the country, there’s a perfect place for everyone.
So, if you share our passion for delivering outstanding pet healthcare, exceptional customer service and would like to join our team, then we would love to hear from you.
To find out more about our Practices, or further information about the programme, please email us at GraduateRecruitment@vets4pets.com
Find out what our graduates had to say about our Graduate Development Programme
Graduate Alumni
Carmen
I have really enjoyed the past 2 years as a vet and being part of the graduate programme. It has helped me to gain confidence and improve my practical skills. It was a very good opportunity to meet other new grads and to share experiences and find friends especially as I came to the UK from abroad.
Graduate Alumni
Alex
The Graduate Development Programme has been very well run; with a good selection and range of CPD, which has helped massively with the transition into practice.
Graduate Alumni
Eliza
The structured CPD offering that is part of the Graduate Development Programme is fantastic! It gives great CPD targeted at the right level, for new grads and focuses on the most important skills.
Graduate Alumni
Damon
During my time on the programme, being monitored by experienced vets and enjoying the case exposure has enabled me to transfer my theoretical knowledge into practice. After successfully completing the programme the JVP funded my certificate in small animal medicine and has been supporting me in my career development. I would highly recommend new graduates to apply, as they will benefit from the great support structure and development opportunities that the programme has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click each question below to find out more information
Once we receive your application, we will invite you to have a chat with someone from our team so we can find out more about you and what makes you get out of bed in the morning. We want to learn about your experiences and understand what is the most important factor for you in finding the right practice.
Our priority is to find out about you as a person so we can help our Practice Partners best support you. We’ll also tell you more about our programme and answer any of your questions.
The next stage will be interviews with the Practice Owners. These could be face-to-face interviews or virtual interviews or both. No two practices are the same so these interviews are an ideal way for you to find the best fit for you and of course, for our Practice Partners to find the right grad for them. If you’d like any support with your interview, our graduate team are on hand to help
Yes, absolutely! As long as you are eligible to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and can work in the UK as a vet, you can apply to the programme. We currently employ vets who come from 43+ countries and counting! We love the diversity our vets bring and actively encourage vets of all nationalities to apply.
If you’re from outside the EU, you will need to apply for a sponsorship visa. We have lots of experience supporting vets with sponsorship applications. Feel free to contact us on graduaterecruitment@vets4pets.com with any questions.
You will be employed directly by the practice on a permanent basis. The two-year Graduate Development Programme runs alongside your job in practice, and is designed to support and compliment your role in your practice. Importantly, there are no financial tie-ins for you, and if you chose to leave your practice, you will work your notice period the same as any other vet. We hope that doesn’t happen, but we’re on hand to support you if you are considering moving on.
Absolutely! We understand that location is very important, and for some people location is their number 1 priority. We will work with you, in understanding which practices you wish to consider, and be open and honest about the opportunities available within those practices.
With almost 450 practices across the UK, we have a wide range of practices up and down the country that each year are looking to support a new graduate.
Whatever your preferences when it comes to your practice, we will work with you in putting you forward to the right practice.
Because of the nature of our business model, no two graduates will have an identical benefits package, as this is agreed by each individual Practice Partner.
The minimum starting salary for a graduate on programme is £36,500, this will be uplifted each year on the programme.
You will be entitled to at least 28 days holiday pear year (including bank holidays), a competitive pension contribution, income protection and a number of other benefits that come with being part of a large group!
You have lots of support available to you across the group, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this huge network of people that are here and want to support you!
You have access to our dedicated Graduate Development Team, who are always here to support you right through from the point of application and beyond the programme.
You will be part of a community of other Vets that we be embarking on this journey with you! You will have the opportunity to catch up regularly at CPD events, and we encourage you to keep in touch.
We have an online clinical community of more than 1,000 vets, which means you’re never more than a click away from clinical support and advice, an extensive mentoring network, which lets you tap into clinical and non-clinical expertise.
Vets for Pets and Companion Care are both part of the Pets at Home Vet Group. Prior to 2014, they were two separate businesses, but in 2014, Pets At Home (who already owned Companion Care) bought Vets for Pets, and they became part of the same group. Since then, all new surgeries have been Vets for Pets surgeries.
If you join our programme, you may work in a Vets for Pets practice or a Companion Care practice, but you will receive the same CPD, support and benefits regardless of where you work!
The programme officially launches in September with our 2 day induction, however, your start date in practice will be agreed between you and the practice, and you can absolutely start in practice prior to the programme launch date.
All About Us
About Vets for Pets and Companion Care
Vets for Pets and Companion Care are a large network of first opinion practices, providing full veterinary care from preventative healthcare, including healthcare checks and vaccinations right through to digital x-rays and operating theatres.
We have over 440 in-store and stand-alone practices across the UK, each one unique! Our practice model is special and gives everyone, including our Practice Owners, the best of both worlds. You’ll get to work alongside and learn from experienced vets who own and run their own practice with complete clinical freedom and the autonomy to do things their way whilst benefitting from being part of a large, respected organisation.
Pets at Home Group
Vets for Pets and Companion Care are part of the Pets at Home Group, who are the UK’s leading pet care business. Because pets are at the heart of everything we do, we believe that everyone who is a part of our group has a special responsibility to help keep pets happy, healthy and safe. Our retail colleagues are trained to standards which are endorsed by many of the leading animal care and charity bodies in the UK, and we are leading the way in regulating the pet grooming industry by working with accredited training providers to enable colleagues to train for certification in this profession.
A little bit more about us...
Hear from our Graduates Christian and Will
We caught up with two of our newest Vets, Christian and Will who graduated from Surrey Vet School last summer, to reflect on their journey and time with us so far!
Maisie Drewell - Graduate Veterinary Surgeon at Vets for Pets Northampton Hospital
IMTP - From diagnosis to treatment
Meet Colchester Vets for Pets' incredible South African vet, Johan
Johan jumped at the chance of applying to our Graduate Development Programme after hearing about the opportunity from a friend
