Each webinar session will be based on the seven ambitions of the RCVS Workforce Action Plan

The series will revisit the seven ambitions of its Workforce Action Plan. 

The RCVS is inviting veterinary professionals to attend a series of interactive webinars revisiting the seven ambitions of its Workforce Action Plan.

The first webinar, Workforce ambitions revisited - where are we now?, kicks off on Tuesday, 20 May, and will use new data collected from RCVS' recent Workforce Model to encourage new discussions.

The Workforce Action Plan was designed in 2022 to explore the range of activities that RCVS provides to support the workforce. It addresses a number of factors which impact the retention and recruitment of veterinary professionals.

In December 2024, the RCVS Workforce Model was released to give a projection of the future of the veterinary profession. Introducing data from this model, the webinar hopes to provide a new perspective on its Workforce Action Plan.

Each webinar session will be based on each of the seven ambitions of the plan, comparing it with Workforce Model data to see how far the professions have come and consider measures to alleviate any forthcoming issues.

RCVS President, Linda Belton, said: "The veterinary landscape has changed considerably over the past two and a half years, and it is important that we stay ahead of the curve and continue to work together to understand how we can best continue to move forward. 

"We also now have access to findings from our new veterinary workforce modelling data which allows us to see where the professions could be headed in the future. Through this series of webinars, we will be using these new insights — as well as discussing how the situation has evolved over the past few years — to reassess the situation and collaborate with veterinary professionals and stakeholders to discuss how we can work together to ensure we have the workforce we need across all areas of veterinary responsibility."

Director for the Advancement of the Professions, Angharad Belcher, will chair the first webinar with an introductory presentation from research manager, Vicki Bolton. Vicki will take delegates through the workforce model, explaining how it was created and what it can tell us.

Linda Belton, and RCVS Senior Vice-President, Dr Sue Paterson, will also be talking through the findings, introducing the purpose of revisiting the seven ambitions within the Action Plan, and will be on hand to answer audience questions. Delegates will be able to submit questions ahead of each session. 

The webinar dates are as follows:

Tuesday 20 May – Workforce ambitions revisited – where are we now? 
Friday 30 May – An attractive career for everyone, including those who have left  
Friday 6 June – General practice – a chosen pathway
Friday 20 June – Improving client interaction and communication 
5 September – Welcoming a modern way of working 
15 September – Greater responsibility for veterinary nurses 
17 October – Confidence, culture and recognition 
7 November – Shape leaders at all levels 

For more information and to register for the webinars, visit the dedicated Eventbrite page.

09/05/25: Corrections added to clarify difference between Workforce Model (2024) and Workforce Action Plan (2022)

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