Graduate vets receive MPI funding to work in rural areas

Thirty-four graduate vets are being placed in rural areas, from Kaitaia in the far North to Gore in Southland, through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS), Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor has announced.

The successful recipients will each receive funding of $55,000 over five years, in a bid to help ease the shortage of veterinarians working with production animals in our regions.

“It’s well known that there’s a real need for vets, especially in rural areas,” Damien O’Connor said.

“Since it began 12 years ago, the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians has made a big difference in attracting and retaining graduate vets to rural communities that can be challenging to recruit staff to.

Regional vet graduates to receive financial boost from bonding scheme

Thirty graduate vets will receive a financial boost from the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians to help ease the shortage of veterinarians working with production animals in the regions, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) announced today.

Since it began 11 years ago, the ministry’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians had made a huge difference in attracting graduate vets to rural areas that were traditionally challenging to staff, says Steve Penno, director investment programmes at MPI.

Regional vet graduates to receive financial boost

Thirty-two graduate vets will receive a financial boost from the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians to help ease the shortage of veterinarians working with production animals in our regions, the Ministry for Primary Industries  announced today.

“Our Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians is designed to support and boost the number of graduate vets in our regions,” says Steve Penno, director investment programmes at MPI.

“It’s available for graduates who are working with production animals such as cows, sheep, and working dogs.”

Govt boost for vet graduates

Thirty graduate vets will receive a financial boost to help develop their careers through the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

The Ministry for Primary Industries Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians is designed to support and boost the number of graduate vets in our regions who are working with production animals such as cows, sheep and horses.

This year’s successful applicants will receive $55,000 each over five years — a total of $1.65 million.

“Our regions are desperate for skilled workers, including vets, so it’s important we give them every encouragement to pursue their veterinary careers in the primary industries, which support our rural communities, regions and economy,” Mr O’Connor said.

Find out more about the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians HERE.

Source: Minister of Agriculture

Career funding available to support graduate vets in the regions

Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri is encouraging the next generation of vets to apply for career funding through a scheme designed to support and increase the number of graduate vets working with production animals in the  regions.

Having opened applications for 2018, Minister Whaitiri says the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians offers 30 recipients who are developing careers in our heartland, $55,000 each over five years.

“Animal health and well-being is critical to the success of our primary industries and wider economy. Having skilled workers such as vets in our regions, where they are desperately needed, plays a key part in that success,” says Meka Whaitiri.

“To date, 256 graduates have benefited from this initiative and made a valuable contribution to rural veterinary centres focused on working animals – such as cows, sheep and horses.

One hundred and sixty-eight female graduates have seized this career-enhancing opportunity and the Minister encouraged even more women who want a rewarding role in rural vet services to apply.

Ministry for Primary Industries officials are about to conduct a survey of all scheme participants, to investigate how the scheme can be further refined in line with the Government’s priorities in terms of inclusivity and diversity. Ms Whaitiri expects this work to be completed by the end of the year.

Applications for career funding close at 3pm on Monday August 27.

Source:  Associate Minister for Agriculture