Great demand in Tyrol

Training completed: Hopes that vets will stay

Livestock veterinarians in particular are in demand in Tyrol, hence the "Ruminants in the Alpine region" module.

(Bild: Peter Leitgeb, Krone KREATIV)

After the province of Tyrol and the Vetmeduni Vienna launched a veterinary offensive two years ago, the first graduates are now completing their specific training. Hopes are high for the future farm animal vets.

According to figures from 2022, a total of 207 vets were working in the 129 veterinary practices in Tyrol. Measures had to be taken two years ago to prevent this number from falling. This is because only a few vets return to Tyrol from Austria's only veterinary university in Vienna. Medical care was at risk, especially for farm animals.

This is why the Vetmeduni, in cooperation with the province of Tyrol, launched the in-depth module "Ruminants in the Alpine region" last fall. The students spend their last two semesters in Tyrol, where they work in veterinary practices alongside their theoretical training. "They rotate through four practices and are involved in the everyday work of vets," explains Lorenz Khol, who heads the Tyrol branch of the Vetmeduni Vienna and has also been awarded the endowed professorship set up by the state in 2022 to support vets.

The first ones are just finishing. Then we'll see if they stay.

Prof. Lorenz Khol, Leiter Vetmeduni-Außenstelle Tirol

Bild: Dr. Barbara Wirl

Motivated graduates looking for good conditions
The first 20 students he supervised in the new module in Tyrol are now on the home straight. "We've had very good feedback," says Khol happily, "the module is very popular with the students." They do not necessarily come from the Alpine region - places are allocated according to grades rather than origin. However, according to Khol, there are some from Tyrol and South Tyrol among the 20 who will soon be graduating.

As they have already been able to make contacts during their internships and get to know everyday working life, it is hoped that as many as possible will stay in the West afterwards. Khol has no concerns: "They are highly motivated. Working with them is great." For many, it is not a problem to move elsewhere if the conditions are right: "The generation is accused of a lot, but they are mobile and flexible."

Regular working hours and predictable services are important to them: "Weekend services are not a problem, but being on call 24/7 is going out of fashion. That's why practices where several vets work together make sense."

Support before and after graduation
The province also wants to encourage young vets to stay in Tyrol, which is why it is organizing a networking meeting for students and vets this autumn. In addition, 300,000 euros have been earmarked in the provincial budget for the first time to provide start-up aid when practices are opened or taken over. Work is also being done to modernize the regional veterinary system, the state announced.

There are also plans to support those who are still studying: The VetINNSights summer school will take place for the third time in July in Rotholz, where interested pupils will be prepared for veterinary studies. Khol also visits schools during the year to present the course. In the past two years, a total of 47 young people have attended the summer school. Registration for this year will start shortly.

The next intake of the ruminant module will start in the fall: this time, 19 students will come to Tyrol - and ideally stay.