Virtual recruitment solution for ‘Generation Y’ medical and dental trainees

A pioneering project from Cardiff University is underway to raise the visibility of Wales as a career destination of choice for doctors and dentists in training.

The Virtual Careers Fair is an online medical careers platform featuring Foundation, Specialty, GP and Dental Programmes, plus career development information. The scheme is launched by the Wales Deanery, a body responsible for post-graduate medical training in Wales.

Medical Students, Foundation and Specialty Trainees can browse all year and explore the Virtual City, collect a Visitors Guide from the lobby and use a specially designed dashboard for careers activity and webchat bookings, hosted by organisations such as the BMA, Academi Wales and the GMC.

Containing downloads, external links and short videos the site provides guidance on building a career in Wales and links to partner organisations including Health Boards and medical schools. The site is close to registering its 100^th participant.

"This type of virtual solution has been tried and tested by recruitment organisations in other sectors, but we are innovating the formula for the medical and dentistry sector," explains project leader, Mrs Sally Blake, Career Development Manager at the Wales Deanery.

"We're aiming at those Generation Y doctors who draw their information from Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and many other social media channels.  The beauty of this resource is its flexibility – it is easy for visitors to access at any time of day or night, from any kind of device. Web chat hosts can equally lend their expertise for a defined hour or so, again from anywhere, at any time.

"It's hard to substitute a face to face conversation entirely, but not all careers events are convenient for busy doctors and dentists to attend, so the Virtual Fair can help to bridge the information gap."

The Wales Deanery Virtual Careers fair builds on the well-established careers event format and the Wales Deanery will continue to be present at a range of events aimed at helping students and trainees explore their career and training options. A number of other medical and dental organisations are watching the trial with a view to adopting a similar approach. 

Follow the Wales Deanery Careers Fair @walesmedcareers,#wmedfair or register at  www.walesdeanery.prospects.ac.uk/fair.