This discussion is now closed.
Check out other Related discussions
- Guide Dogs Trainee Guide Dog Trainer
- Assistance Dog at uni?
- Edinburgh’s low student satisfaction
- Student accommodation that's friendly for pets
- Taking animals to uni
- EPQ artefact ideas
- dog euthanasia
- Work experience for vet med (update)
- Student mental health support with Student Minds
- serendipity and first year pharmacy ~ cherryblossomed's 24/25 GYG
- Friends in London
- Pet hurt/heal game
- Why are dogs so often treated as more important than people?
- which is better? Dogs or cats
- Considering XL bully ban in Ireland due to women killed
- Hunt for two dogs suspected of killing man
- Surprising my brother with a dog??!
- How can I take my dog to university
- Supercurriculars in Zoology
- Should I get a cat or dog first? | Julio Herrera
Guide Dogs
I am very interested in becoming a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Apprentice after my A Levels. However apparently they only hire 6 a year!
Heres the description.
About the job: The GDMI takes the dog through the final stages of training and then matches it to a compatible visually impaired client. Instructors then work daily for up to four weeks with the dog and client, either at their home or from a hotel, to train them and help them work as a partnership.
The client is then supported long term by visits from the Instructor and ‘after care’ visits are made periodically to provide support to the Guide Dog Owner.
Instructors’ work is hard and demanding and they walk long distances almost every day, in all conditions, but this is clearly counterbalanced by the satisfaction provided by this challenging role.
Plenty of travel and some nights away required.
Entry Qualifications:
• 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above or equivalent.
AND
• 2 ‘A’ levels or equivalent, e.g. NVQ level 3.
OR
• City & Guilds Guide Dog Trainer; Dog Care and Welfare or Rehabilitation Worker qualification.
OR
• Extensive work experience that demonstrates the ability to undertake study to Diploma level.
Full UK driving licence or be able to demonstrate how you will fulfil the role without this.
Skills and Experience
Substantial experience of working with adults or children in the areas of teaching, training, coaching, mentoring or supervising.
• Highly-developed verbal and effective written skills,
• Planning and organising self and others,
• Information gathering and problem solving skills,
• Able to work as part of a team and unsupervised as required,
• Basic PC skills (email; Word; Excel; File Management).
Apprentices must be able to undertake the 3 year apprenticeship programme, including training away from home at Guide Dogs’ locations or in other residential facilities for up to 6 months at a time;
Salary:
Apprentice GDMI starts at £16,907 p.a. rising to £25,389 p.a. on Qualification.
Basically, is there anything else I could do over these 2 years to help improve my chance apart from the dog rescue centre. Especially, teaching, training, coaching, mentoring or supervising Also has anyone applied before? Cheers.
Heres the description.
About the job: The GDMI takes the dog through the final stages of training and then matches it to a compatible visually impaired client. Instructors then work daily for up to four weeks with the dog and client, either at their home or from a hotel, to train them and help them work as a partnership.
The client is then supported long term by visits from the Instructor and ‘after care’ visits are made periodically to provide support to the Guide Dog Owner.
Instructors’ work is hard and demanding and they walk long distances almost every day, in all conditions, but this is clearly counterbalanced by the satisfaction provided by this challenging role.
Plenty of travel and some nights away required.
Entry Qualifications:
• 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above or equivalent.
AND
• 2 ‘A’ levels or equivalent, e.g. NVQ level 3.
OR
• City & Guilds Guide Dog Trainer; Dog Care and Welfare or Rehabilitation Worker qualification.
OR
• Extensive work experience that demonstrates the ability to undertake study to Diploma level.
Full UK driving licence or be able to demonstrate how you will fulfil the role without this.
Skills and Experience
Substantial experience of working with adults or children in the areas of teaching, training, coaching, mentoring or supervising.
• Highly-developed verbal and effective written skills,
• Planning and organising self and others,
• Information gathering and problem solving skills,
• Able to work as part of a team and unsupervised as required,
• Basic PC skills (email; Word; Excel; File Management).
Apprentices must be able to undertake the 3 year apprenticeship programme, including training away from home at Guide Dogs’ locations or in other residential facilities for up to 6 months at a time;
Salary:
Apprentice GDMI starts at £16,907 p.a. rising to £25,389 p.a. on Qualification.
Basically, is there anything else I could do over these 2 years to help improve my chance apart from the dog rescue centre. Especially, teaching, training, coaching, mentoring or supervising Also has anyone applied before? Cheers.
Bio12345
Volunteer at a kennel, the RSPCA or dogstrust type ones want volunteers to go dog walking. Also, you could think about volunteering at a centre for the blind - to give you a realistic idea of the challenges faced by blind people.
Yeah cheers, at a rescue centre at the momentut the blind centre is a good idea.
Hi Jessburn,
I've just been appointed as an apprentice GDMI so can give you some good advice!
The competition is really tough- although having a degree is not an essential criteria, when I was at my final assessment all the other applicants were graduates (except for a couple of mature applicants). I graduated in animal science and behaviour which they consider a relevant degree.
Rather than woorying so much about gaining experience with dogs you should try and focus on getting experience in coaching/training/supervising people as this is a huge emphasis during the interviews. During my time at uni I instructed younger students on the universities animal unit which was a massive help in getting the job.
I guess the final advice is to get voluntary work with disabled people- this I didn't have before applying but it was suggested I do it.
Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck with it!
I've just been appointed as an apprentice GDMI so can give you some good advice!
The competition is really tough- although having a degree is not an essential criteria, when I was at my final assessment all the other applicants were graduates (except for a couple of mature applicants). I graduated in animal science and behaviour which they consider a relevant degree.
Rather than woorying so much about gaining experience with dogs you should try and focus on getting experience in coaching/training/supervising people as this is a huge emphasis during the interviews. During my time at uni I instructed younger students on the universities animal unit which was a massive help in getting the job.
I guess the final advice is to get voluntary work with disabled people- this I didn't have before applying but it was suggested I do it.
Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck with it!
Lubyloo150
Hi Jessburn,
I've just been appointed as an apprentice GDMI so can give you some good advice!
The competition is really tough- although having a degree is not an essential criteria, when I was at my final assessment all the other applicants were graduates (except for a couple of mature applicants). I graduated in animal science and behaviour which they consider a relevant degree.
Rather than woorying so much about gaining experience with dogs you should try and focus on getting experience in coaching/training/supervising people as this is a huge emphasis during the interviews. During my time at uni I instructed younger students on the universities animal unit which was a massive help in getting the job.
I guess the final advice is to get voluntary work with disabled people- this I didn't have before applying but it was suggested I do it.
Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck with it!
I've just been appointed as an apprentice GDMI so can give you some good advice!
The competition is really tough- although having a degree is not an essential criteria, when I was at my final assessment all the other applicants were graduates (except for a couple of mature applicants). I graduated in animal science and behaviour which they consider a relevant degree.
Rather than woorying so much about gaining experience with dogs you should try and focus on getting experience in coaching/training/supervising people as this is a huge emphasis during the interviews. During my time at uni I instructed younger students on the universities animal unit which was a massive help in getting the job.
I guess the final advice is to get voluntary work with disabled people- this I didn't have before applying but it was suggested I do it.
Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck with it!
Wow well done getting an apprentership! I was thinking about a degree in Marketing, which is nothing to do with this, so maybe I should think of a better degree!
So you think a riding school for the disabled would be useful? Theres on near me and also there is a blind care home next to my college so I could try that.
The riding school sounds great, as does the blind care home.
Alternatively Guide Dogs are currently recruiting Guide Dog Trainers which although is slightly different its a good foot in the door option
Alternatively Guide Dogs are currently recruiting Guide Dog Trainers which although is slightly different its a good foot in the door option
Lubyloo150
Hi Jessburn,
I've just been appointed as an apprentice GDMI so can give you some good advice!
The competition is really tough- although having a degree is not an essential criteria, when I was at my final assessment all the other applicants were graduates (except for a couple of mature applicants). I graduated in animal science and behaviour which they consider a relevant degree.
Rather than woorying so much about gaining experience with dogs you should try and focus on getting experience in coaching/training/supervising people as this is a huge emphasis during the interviews. During my time at uni I instructed younger students on the universities animal unit which was a massive help in getting the job.
I guess the final advice is to get voluntary work with disabled people- this I didn't have before applying but it was suggested I do it.
Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck with it!
I've just been appointed as an apprentice GDMI so can give you some good advice!
The competition is really tough- although having a degree is not an essential criteria, when I was at my final assessment all the other applicants were graduates (except for a couple of mature applicants). I graduated in animal science and behaviour which they consider a relevant degree.
Rather than woorying so much about gaining experience with dogs you should try and focus on getting experience in coaching/training/supervising people as this is a huge emphasis during the interviews. During my time at uni I instructed younger students on the universities animal unit which was a massive help in getting the job.
I guess the final advice is to get voluntary work with disabled people- this I didn't have before applying but it was suggested I do it.
Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck with it!
Hi Lubyloo, I am through to the assessment centre stage for apprentice GDMI...what was your experience of the assessment centre?
I know its 2 days but if you have any tips or advice that would be really helpful! How is the training going now you have been taken on?
bhodi69
Hi Lubyloo, I am through to the assessment centre stage for apprentice GDMI...what was your experience of the assessment centre?
I know its 2 days but if you have any tips or advice that would be really helpful! How is the training going now you have been taken on?
I know its 2 days but if you have any tips or advice that would be really helpful! How is the training going now you have been taken on?
If you don't mind me asking, do you have a degree?
Hi,
I dont have a degree but I do have 20 years experience working with people! ;o) Probation officer, social worker, drug and alcohol, learning disabilities etc. Also have some qualifications in dog behaviour and volunteer at a rescue centre.
The assesment centre is fantastic. 2 days of very hard work but it certainly gives you a good understanding of the role and what will be expected of you. Not for the faint hearted as this role is hard, hard work both mentally and physically.
I loved the 2 days though....just another 2 weeks wait to get the results!
I dont have a degree but I do have 20 years experience working with people! ;o) Probation officer, social worker, drug and alcohol, learning disabilities etc. Also have some qualifications in dog behaviour and volunteer at a rescue centre.
The assesment centre is fantastic. 2 days of very hard work but it certainly gives you a good understanding of the role and what will be expected of you. Not for the faint hearted as this role is hard, hard work both mentally and physically.
I loved the 2 days though....just another 2 weeks wait to get the results!
Hi,
the 2 days you were at the training centre, is that the same as the dog handling assessment, which is part of the selection process before interviews?
the 2 days you were at the training centre, is that the same as the dog handling assessment, which is part of the selection process before interviews?
Related discussions
- Guide Dogs Trainee Guide Dog Trainer
- Assistance Dog at uni?
- Edinburgh’s low student satisfaction
- Student accommodation that's friendly for pets
- Taking animals to uni
- EPQ artefact ideas
- dog euthanasia
- Work experience for vet med (update)
- Student mental health support with Student Minds
- serendipity and first year pharmacy ~ cherryblossomed's 24/25 GYG
- Friends in London
- Pet hurt/heal game
- Why are dogs so often treated as more important than people?
- which is better? Dogs or cats
- Considering XL bully ban in Ireland due to women killed
- Hunt for two dogs suspected of killing man
- Surprising my brother with a dog??!
- How can I take my dog to university
- Supercurriculars in Zoology
- Should I get a cat or dog first? | Julio Herrera
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 day ago
Capgemini Accelerate Graduate Programme 2025Last reply 1 month ago
Vodafone HR Graduate Scheme Virtual assessment centreLast reply 2 months ago
I'm convinced I'm not going to get a job at this point.
