Students Achieve Perfect Pass Rate in Innovative Veterinary Course
Students on an innovative veterinary course at Coleg Cambria Northop have kicked off the year with a perfect score, achieving a remarkable 100% pass rate in their first set of exams. Learners enrolled in the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – Small Animal Practice have celebrated this achievement, highlighting the growing opportunities in the veterinary sector.
Among the successful students are Hannah Williams and Katherine Oldham, both aspiring veterinary nurses working at practices in North Wales. Their ambitions come at a time when the sector is projected to experience significant job growth, with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) estimating a 7.1% increase in veterinarian positions in the UK from 2023 to 2032. This would lead to approximately 57,000 veterinarians in the country by 2032, underscoring the expanding opportunities within the industry.
With more students expected to join the Cambria programme this September, Ellie Woodcock, lecturer and Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) at Coleg Cambria, expressed optimism about the course’s future. She noted that the college has developed a unique training facility designed to replicate a real-life medical environment, enhancing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
“That is a major unique selling point for us,” Woodcock stated, praising the calibre of the teaching staff, all of whom are qualified veterinary nurses. “There is demand for more workers in veterinary science, and there are many other roles in this arena, so this is the right time to join us.”
The cutting-edge facility includes ‘dummy dogs,’ animal anatomy models, diagnostic tools, X-ray machines, sterilisation equipment, and more. In addition, the Small Animals Centre on-site provides students with a distinctive learning environment where they can gain both theoretical and practical support.
Woodcock added, “We have set it up to replicate their working environment and also have presentations from guest speakers and experts in various areas of veterinary science and surgery, all of which contribute to the students being ready for the world of work when they move on to their future careers.”
Hannah Williams, a student from Colwyn Bay, works at Conway Road Veterinary Surgery. She discovered her passion for animal care after volunteering with the RSPCA and has since embraced her new path. “The time I spend here at the college, in addition to my position as a student vet nurse, has helped me make great strides and build my confidence,” she said. “This is definitely what I want to do with my life; I love it, and the course is very rewarding.”
Katherine Oldham, originally from Manchester and now residing in Flint, also made a career switch. After spending a decade in a different industry, she decided to pursue her love for animals. “I always had a love of animals but had never seen it as an option for me,” she explained. “Learning with this equipment and the experienced tutors we have here—who are respected and well-known in this field—has really benefited us, and the results demonstrate that.”
As the veterinary sector anticipates substantial growth, Coleg Cambria’s commitment to providing quality education and practical training positions its students well for successful careers in animal care.
