$1.4million Federal grant boosts training and services - Sept 09

Guide Dogs Queensland’s plans to grow its cadetship programs, boost staff numbers and meet an expected rise in demand for services has received a significant helping hand from the Federal Government, courtesy of a $1.448million Jobs Fund grant.

The grant was announced by Federal Member for Petrie Yvette D’Ath today (September 6) under the Federal Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ Jobs Fund Project. The Jobs Fund is a $650 million Australian Government Initiative to support and create jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure.

The grant will allow Guide Dogs Queensland to employ and train seven new cadet guide dog trainers, seven cadet guide dogs mobility instructors, 14 cadet orientation and mobility instructors, and two full-time project managers, over the next two years.

CEO Chris Laine said GDQ’s cadetship program will allow the successful applicants to work under the guidance of our highly specialised and world-class Rehabilitation Services and Guide Dog Services departments.

“There is a worldwide shortage of Orientation and Mobility Instructors, Guide Dog Trainers, and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors. So in response to this GDQ has developed a program of internationally-accredited cadetships, as we believe the best option is to recruit locally and grow our own highly experienced staff.”
The cadetships can take between three to five years and both the Orientation and Mobility Instructor and Guide Dog Mobility Instructor cadetships will work in conjunction with Griffith University.

The grant will help cover the costs of a demountable building, for office space and training purposes, office furniture, training tools and equipment, computer software and hardware, as well as new Guide Dog training vans and a new commuter client bus.

“We’re very excited about receiving this grant as this will allow us to increase our service provision to Queensland’s blind and vision impaired,” Ms Laine said. “As well as begin the careers of 28 more people who will soon be making a difference every day by helping blind and vision impaired Queenslanders achieve independence, mobility and freedom.”

More information about the cadetships, and the recruitment process, is available on our website under career information or by calling the Human Resources department on 07 3261 7555.