Guide Dogs for the Blind has launched a three-year foundation degree course for its employees.

The creation of the Canine Assistance: Client and Dog Partnership degree concludes a four-year programme to reform the organisation’s approach to professional training.

The course, which is accredited by Chester University, takes a ‘building blocks’ approach and allows employees to take modules relevant to their current job role.

Those interested in moving into different roles can take additional modules, while gaining credit for their existing knowledge.

Trainers on the course can also advance to a full Bachelor of Science degree.

Beverley Aylott, head of employment at Guide Dogs, said: “The degree will involve a varied selection of modules which explore dog care and welfare, dog breeding and stock management, re-homing, teaching and training adults as well as modules that explore implications of sight loss in people and the Guide Dogs partnership.”

The programme will be run from the Guide Dog Training Schools in Leamington, Forfar, Atherton and London.

Oxfam tackles business leaders

Meanwhile, Oxfam is developing ethical trade workshops for MBA students in UK business schools, in an attempt to influence the next generation of business leaders.

With the workshop already a key component of the course at Oxford Brookes, Oxfam is now talking to London, Judge, Saïd, Ashridge, Cass and Nottingham University business schools.

The workshop introduces students to the concepts and benefits of fair and ethical trade as well as how to read product labelling critically and conduct effective risk assessments.