What’s happened 

The Royal College of Podiatry will be attending a series of regional and national careers events between August and November to promote podiatry to new audiences. 

The events form part of the College’s Inspire Movement, Choose Podiatry careers campaign, which aims to raise awareness of podiatry and encourage more young people to consider a career in the profession. 

Summer School Podiatry Experience Day – 27 August 2026 

The College will join a summer school activity day hosted by Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) NHS Trust for young people interested in careers across the allied health professions. 

All 14 allied health professions will be represented at the event, which is aimed at students aged 16-18 years old who are studying subjects allied to medicine. 

This year, CLCH has also partnered with The King’s Trust, introducing a stronger focus on helping young people gain the practical skills, work experience and opportunities they need to move into healthcare careers.  

For 2026, the programme is focussing on two professions – podiatry and speech and language therapy – with 25 students being offered hands-on experience of NHS roles.  

Work experience and work shadowing opportunities can help young people explore healthcare careers and may lead to employment, apprenticeships or internships. 

National School and College Leavers Festival 

The College will also attend the National School and College Leavers Festival at ExCel London on 17–18 November and at the NAEC in the West Midlands on 24–25 November. 

The two events attract approximately 7,500–15,000 students aged 15–19, alongside school and college staff, training providers, industry representatives and professional bodies.  

For the College, they provide an opportunity to introduce podiatry to students considering their A-level choices and future education and university pathways.   

They are also an opportunity to reach careers advisers, who play an important role in helping students make decisions about their future. 

Why this matters to members 

There are encouraging signs that interest in podiatry careers is growing. 

In 2025, the College reported a 28% increase in university admissions for podiatry courses, supporting the future supply of podiatrists. 

The College is also aware that several universities have met or exceeded their recruitment targets for podiatry for the 2026/27 academic year. 

Continuing this momentum will depend on raising awareness of podiatry among students at key points in their education and careers journeys. 

Careers events offer an opportunity to do just that – giving young people the chance to hear directly about the profession and what a career in podiatry can offer.  

How you can help 

Members can play an important role in inspiring the next generation. 

If you would like to support the College at these events and help young people discover more about podiatry, we would love to hear from you.   

Please contact Outreach Coordinator Chris Jefferson at chris.jefferson@rcpod.org.uk to discuss how you can get involved. 

Further outreach opportunities are being explored for the second half of 2026, alongside a full programme of events for 2027.  These will be shared as plans are confirmed. 

Links and references 

• CLCH work experience and schools engagement 

• National School and College Leaver Festival – London, 17–18 November 

• National School and College Leaver Festival – West Midlands, 24–25 November