Academy Guide Dog Trainers; Redbridge

Imagine a career where every day you help transform lives. At Guide Dogs, we don’t just train dogs - we create independence and confidence for people with sight loss. If you’re looking for a role that’s active, rewarding, and truly meaningful, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Guide Dogs Academy is where we train people to become our next generation of Guide Dog Trainers.

We’re recruiting a cohort Academy Guide Dog Trainers (AGDT) to join our training programme starting February 2026 at our office in Redbridge
. This is a permanent, full-time role
, and once you complete training, you’ll be based at Rebridge
.

As a Guide Dog Trainer
, you’ll teach dogs the essential skills they need to become life-changing partners for people with sight loss. You’ll also play a key role in preparing dogs for matching with their future owners.

This isn’t a typical 9
-5. One day you’ll be training dogs outdoors rain or shine, another planning and report writing and the next working with volunteer fosterers or collaborating with specialists like Dog Wellbeing teams and Puppy Development Advisors. Every day is different - and every day makes a difference.

In this video Alex explains more about his role as a GDT:

• Duration: Around 2 years
• Learning style: Hands-on practical work, digital learning and learning for others. In your small cohort of learners you’ll be supported by one of our Technical Learning Specialists, your coach and line manager, who are experts in the role themselves
• What you’ll master includes:
  • Dog training and behaviour
  • Dog health and wellbeing
  • Understanding visual impairment
  • Working collaboratively across teams
• Assessment: As you progress through training, you’ll need to meet practical and theoretical requirements to become fully competent. You’ll be assessed and observed in practice and supported with feedback and objectives to help you become the best you can be. You need to be willing to take responsibility for your learning and to be proactive in your own development.

• Starting Salary: £24,480 to £26,000, depending on relevant experience
• Progression: You’ll receive competency-based increments during training
• Fully qualified: £27,556 after approximately 2 years

If your application is shortlisted you’ll invited to attend an online interview with us. If successful at the interview you’ll be invited to an Assessment Day at the office – the last part of the process! Dates are below:

• Online Interview: week commencing 30th November 2026
• Assessment Day: week commencing 14th December 2026 at the Redbridge office

We’re looking for people who are:

• Passionate about helping others and love working with dogs
• Resilient, adaptable, and ready for an active role (up to 20,000 steps daily)
• Problem-solvers with empathy and patience
• Experience supporting people (paid or voluntary)
• Understanding of positive training techniques
• Have a UK/EU Driving Licence including being able to drive manual cars

This role is subject to and Enhanced DBS check.

Training to become a GDT is a big commitment but one that offers incredible rewards. Before applying, please review our‘
Keeping Things Transparent
document attached to this advert.

Guide Dogs Academy is a pioneering centre of learning that’s constantly enquiring, innovating, improving. There’s a culture of curiosity that runs through our whole organisation and it’s why many people have long and varied careers with us.

For the staff who train our dogs and create our Guide Dog partnerships, working life begins in our Academy.

In teams all around the country our future Guide Dog Trainers (GDTs) and Guide Dog Mobility Specialists (GDMSs) will learn the skills and knowledge needed…