A BAY islands training group has been given a major shot in the arm with a $498,000 federal government grant that will help them launch a new cadetship program.
Running Wild Youth Conservation group plans to offer islanders with disabilities a chance to gain skills for the workforce through a paid 20-week program.
The Conservation Cadetship will also offer participants the chance to interact with potential employers while working on projects.
Project coordinator Terry McParlane said six people would be recruited to the program as part of the first intake, with applications likely to open from next week.
"We hope to have cadets recruited to start on July 26," she said. "There will be an online application process and people who apply will be interviewed."
A second cohort of cadets would start in January next year.
Ms McParlane said participants would earn a wage while learning skills on the job.
"They will get accreditation for eco-tourism and conservation modules that could take them onto further study or stand them in good stead for future employment," she said.
Bowman MP Laming said the organisation's application for the grant ticked all the boxes.
"I am proud to announce that Running Wild received $498,000 from the federal government to establish their new cadetship program," he said.
"The team from Running Wild managed by the dedicated Julie 'Chook' Larson has for years been improving the employment prospects for people with disabilities ... "
Ms McParlane said the program had been modelled on Running Wild's other training programs, but also had unique elements.
"A big part of what we do at Running Wild is establishing social enterprises for the long term," she said.
"The whole purpose of the cadets coming on board is that we want to create inclusive eco-tourism experiences on the island.
"That means things like disability-accessible kayaking trips and walking experiences.
"The cadets will be designing and piloting those, and hopefully we can keep some of them employed longer term to run this program beyond the life of the grant."
Running Wild is based on Macleay Island.
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