- Madagascar
- South Africa
- Limpopo
- Costa Rica
- Seychelles
- Mexico
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Fiji
- Nepal
About Program
Are you ready to jump-start your career in conservation and sustainable development? With GVI's professional apprenticeships, you'll not only gain invaluable hands-on experience but also be fully immersed in a new culture. Our immersive programs provide you with the skills, knowledge and connections necessary to succeed.
As an apprentice, you'll spend your first three months in your host country immersed in the local community and culture receiving comprehensive training – think camera trapping, TEFL certifications, data collection, language courses and PADI certifications depending on the program you choose. Once you have completed your training, you will be placed with one of our international partner organisations where you’ll apply what you’ve learned to practical fieldwork.
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Program Highlights
- Turn your passion into a career. Spend six months gaining the skills, experience and industry connections that will help you launch your conservation career.
- Fast-track training. Our apprenticeships will equip you with all the training, leadership opportunities and practical training necessary to succeed in your conservation career.
- Because our programs are so intensive and comprehensive, you’ll be guaranteed a job offer once you’ve successfully completed your six-month apprenticeship .
- Receive five certifications from University of Richmond, a LinkedIn reference, access to GVI’s career portal and practical work experience from experts in the conservation industry.
- Work placement with an international partner. After completing your 24-week apprenticeship, you can choose to add on a work placement with one of our internship partners.
Popular Programs
Travel to the savannahs of South Africa where you’ll work with our international research team in a private nature reserve. Learn to identify predators, like lions, cheetahs and leopards, as well as megaherbivores like elephants and rhinos. Then put your training into practice by completing a three-month work placement at a South African conservation organisation or an ecotourism lodge.
Travel to Pokhara where you’ll complete training on child protection, lesson planning and classroom management. You will work alongside local educators to facilitate learning in local primary schools, and informal after-school groups. You may also facilitate conversational English workshops with local women.
Kickstart your marine conservation career in Mexico where you’ll complete your PADI Coral Reef Restoration Diver Distinctive Speciality, PADI Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster certifications. You’ll work alongside our international team of professional divers and marine biologists to help preserve the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
Call the old-world rainforests of Madagascar your office as you get hands-on practical experience in one of the most biodiverse places in the world. As an apprentice, you'll take part in leading surveys on invertebrates, and tracking and monitoring mammals that live on this island – in an effort to support ongoing conservation efforts.
Explore Thailand's coastal area of Phang Nga while developing your conservation research skills and gaining valuable fieldwork experience. Join other conservation apprentices and work alongside local conservation organisations to learn about and contribute to important initiatives – such as sea turtle conservation, island conservation and environmental education.
