APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme

The APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme offers newly qualified vets the opportunity to begin their careers in a supportive environment focused on veterinary public health.

As part of the programme you will be employed as a Veterinary Inspector, and follow a twelve month syllabus designed to build confidence, capability and professional judgement.

View our APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme brochure here: Whilst the advert and brochure provide the essential details, we will also be holding two virtual drop-in sessions.

These sessions will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process.

To join the session, click on the link below: Field Vet Drop-In Session - 9 April 2026, 6pm Field Vet Drop-In Session - 11 April 2026, 3pm

• For any additional queries, or for those unable to attend a drop-in session please raise enquiries via: VetGraduateProgrammeapha.gov.uk APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves.

We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We currently have five exciting opportunities to join our new APHA Veterinary Graduate programme in one of the above locations.

The programme provides a twelve-month appointment as a Veterinary Inspector, which follows a varied syllabus to develop your skills and deliver a wide range of duties including but not limited to: Investigating animal diseases in farm livestock by: undertaking on-farm and field investigations examining and inspecting farmed animals to support differential diagnosis of disease conducting post-mortem examinations and collecting samples for laboratory testing when appropriate collecting and evaluating history and relevant data to support decisions collating and reporting findings and making recommendations Welfare investigations, both reactive and surveillance work.

Inspection, approval and audit of a range of premises Responding to incidents and outbreaks of animal notifiable diseases Ensuring compliance, with statutory standards, of animal health and welfare As part of your development with the syllabus, you will: Participate at a central induction event for onboarding activities, providing an opportunity to meet your new graduate cohort Complete your RCVS Vet GDP portfolio, using relevant Entrustable Professional Activities aligned to APHA work areas, supported by your Vet GDP Advisor.

Participate in regular (approximately monthly) visits to different APHA facilities across GB, this includes two one-week blocks at either an APHA Veterinary Investigation Centre or Scotland's Rural College.

Participate in contextualised communication and other soft skill training As part of the role, you will be expected to regularly travel throughout the week to carry out the duties outlined above.

The post holder will occasionally be required to work from other locations with possible overnight stays.

All posts will be offered in merit order based on location preference and business need.

While it is not anticipated that staff will take part in out of hours work during the 12 month programme, in case of large scale notifiable disease outbreaks, staff may be required to take part in an on-call, out of hours rota as well as a UK detached duty rota.

Following the twelve-month appointment, there may be an opportunity to gain promotion to Senior Veterinary Inspector (SVI) based on successful completion of an assessment of your technical competence, professional behaviours, and readiness for SVI responsibilities.

Progression to SVI will depend on how many veterinary vacancies are available when the programme is completed.

For those not immediately progressing to SVI, your employment with APHA will cease at the end of the 12-month programme having developed numerous and transferable skills that will assist you in your future career, including future recruitment opportunities for permanent roles in APHA. Please note that if any SVI vacancies are available at the end of the programme they will be GB wide, and may differ from your host location for the new graduate programme.

Support and training All successful candidates will be provided with an extensive programme of training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA. The twelve-month syllabus has been designed based on RCVS Day One competences and to support new graduate vets in their first role after graduation.

Each successful candidate will be assigned their own VetGDP advisor to support in their development and their completion of the RCVS VetGDP portfolio.

New veterinary staff will be part of regional, country and GB wide teams who will be provided with widespread support on all facets of APHA work.

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Jobs are provided by the Find a Job Service from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).