Exploring Career Aspirations amongst Vocational Trainees in the West Midlands

Methods: A workshop was held with VTs from a West Midlands scheme. Participants were asked to discuss key career development issues. These included: how VTs identify positions, factors influencing their choice, timing of decisions to apply to particular areas, strengths and weaknesses of VT positions regarding potential recruitment to local practices, incentives to promote VT positions, and key factors that determine the VTs ‘next career move'. Views were recorded on flipcharts and facilitators took additional notes. The groups reported back and a wider discussion ensued. Following the workshop the facilitators synthesized the emergent themes.

Results: Eleven VTs attended the workshop. There was substantial agreement between the sub-groups of trainees on core issues. Location was a key factor in choosing a VT position, but staff characteristics at the practice and family reasons were also important. There was strong agreement that applying for VT positions was stressful and a ‘scramble for places'. There was criticism of the differential timings of the publication of the lists of VT positions in different Deaneries. Considerable uncertainty was expressed over the impact of new contractual arrangements.

Conclusions: The evidence generated will assist those involved in the delivery of vocational training, and individuals with a remit in service development, to develop an effective and appropriate strategy with respect to vocational training schemes. This was a small local study, but it has provided valuable in-depth information, as well as a methodology that is transferable to other locations. Educational activities to explain new dental commissioning arrangements are worthwhile.

Funded by South Western Staffordshire PCT.