Why joining a professional apprenticeship is a great idea

Are you set on following a career in community development? Keen to get all of the skills and experience you need to land your dream job? Then a professional apprenticeship with GVI is the perfect fit for you.

Here’s your best chance at becoming a sought-after team member in development teams all over the world. The thing is – with a GVI apprenticeship, you’ll get real international experience in unique community and cultural settings – giving you that competitive edge to accelerate your career in the social impact sector.

When you join an international professional apprenticeship, you can be sure you’ll be involved in award-winning projects that will make an enduring impact.

Here are some of the benefits of joining a professional apprenticeship in community development:

Get a work placement with community organisations

The most unique benefit of our professional apprenticeships is that you’ll not only do project work to support community initiatives, but you’ll also get to work directly for an organisation for 12 weeks. During this time, you’ll function as a member of the team by doing real work to address critical community development challenges. This way you’ll walk away with genuine work experience, and you’ll get to know what it’s really like working in the field, first-hand.

You’ll either work for one of our local partner NGOs in the communities we serve, or get a job placement with GVI at one of our bases.

Spend six epic months immersed in communities

Our professional apprenticeships are the most comprehensive career-focused programs we have. You’ll spend half a year immersed in new communities and cultures, working on local projects to make a lasting difference.

First, you’ll spend 12 weeks working on social impact projects with GVI. You’ll learn from experts, get training and receive real-world experience.  

After your first 12 weeks of practical project work are done, you’ll get a job placement with a community partner for another 12 weeks. Here you’ll do work to support a local community development initiative that will allow you to get the real work experience you need to add to your CV.

You’ll get a job in sustainability – guaranteed

With over 25 years of experience in community development, we know what it takes for you to build a career in the sustainability sector. Over the years, we’ve tweaked and tailored our programs to offer the certain skills, experience and exposure that we know are needed to prepare participants to become valuable employees.

We’re so confident that you’ll land an impact-driven job within 18 months of completing your apprenticeship, that we offer you our career guarantee. This means that you’ll get 50% of your program fee back if you don’t get a job.

Get career-ready with fast-track training

Our unique fast-track training program, created by career development experts with over two decades of knowledge and expertise, will equip you with the necessary hard and soft skills to excel in your community development career. This benefit is available exclusively for participants who join our professional apprenticeships, although all GVI’s other programs also have excellent training programs included.

The skills you’ll learn during the fast-track training program:

• Leadership and managing teams
• Emergency first response
• Off-site safety management and crisis management
• Participant management
• Project management and setting objectives
• Pastoral care, coaching and mental health
• Self-leadership, professionalism and customer service
• Delivering effective presentations and workshops
• Partner engagement, onboarding and management
• Communications and social media
• Measuring impact
• GVI policies and procedures

Receive excellent support, guidance and training

During your apprenticeship, you’ll get access to the highest level of support, guidance and training to advance your personal and professional growth.

What you’ll get during your apprenticeship:

• Four online courses accredited by the University of Richmond.
• One-on-one mentoring sessions with your remote supervisor.
• Advanced leadership training.
• Job portal access.
• Two career coaching sessions with an experienced mentor.
• A LinkedIn reference.
• Preferential GVI recruitment where you’ll automatically get considered for vacancies you apply for.
• Access to our job portal that advertises vacancies in the conservation and development sectors.
• A pre-expectation group call that’ll give you the chance to meet your fellow apprentices, get to know the staff and prepare for your internship.

Discover more GVI program options

If professional apprenticeships are too specialised for you, or if you’re unsure of what you want to do in the future, GVI also offers more general internship programs. As an intern, you’ll experience a range of conservation projects and take on additional responsibilities on base – such as leading community projects, organising initiatives and providing marketing support. 

If your focus is on contributing positively to community issues through impactful research – our research fellowships would be your best option. You’ll get to implement a variety of qualitative research methods in collaboration with our local partners on the ground in various locations all over the world.

Find the ideal professional apprenticeship for you

 Do you have a specific community development area that you’re passionate about? Special interests so close to your heart that it makes you feel alive, and sometimes restless and adamant to do something about it?

With GVI, you can match your unique passions, skills and interests to a specific community development project in locations where your contribution could be the most relevant and valuable. And, you can use this practical experience to carve out your dream career path in social impact.

You can choose between a great variety of professional apprenticeship programs with a specific focus, in different locations across the globe. You’ll be able to match your unique passions and interests with an environmental cause that will have a long-term positive impact on the planet.

Some of our community development professional apprenticeship types include:

• international development apprenticeships
• TEFL and English teaching apprenticeships
• teaching and community development apprenticeships.

We’re continuously adding more programs to our apprenticeships, so get in touch with one of our team members who would be happy to answer any questions you might have, and talk you through the unique features of each apprenticeship.

The best places to join a professional apprenticeship in community development

You’re invited to embark on a professional apprenticeship in some of the most incredible locations across the globe with GVI. Our permanent hubs with local dedicated staff are located on five different continents, each offering unique and vibrant cultures to live and work in. 

Whether you’d love to stay in a remote fishing village to learn a completely new way of living, or travel to a multicultural city with numerous international influences, languages and cuisines – you’ll find a location you’ll love.

While all our community development programs provide support and skills development to accelerate your career, these hubs are fully geared to facilitate our comprehensive professional apprenticeships. Expect world-class training and support to prepare you for a successful community development career, all while exploring the splendour of our planet and its beautiful diversity of people. Join GVI and take the first step towards an unforgettable experience that will shape your future forever.

Choose one of these locations for your professional apprenticeship in community development:

• Dawasamu, Fiji
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Pokhara, Nepal
• Phang Nga, Thailand

Unsure about the perfect destination for your personal and professional goals? Request a callback and one of our team members can talk you through your options, or answer any questions you might have. 

FAQs about professional apprenticeships 

Are GVI apprenticeships trade-based?

Traditionally, apprenticeships have been trade-based, but now they include a wide range of industries and roles such as project management, conservation, social impact and digital marketing. 

At GVI, our apprenticeships offer short-term work opportunities at a community development organisation or at GVI, where you’ll gain hands-on experience to prepare you for a career in sustainability.

Can I get a job with GVI after my Professional Apprenticeship?

Yes, many of our international staff are alumni of our professional apprenticeship programs. 

Because these programs combine 12 weeks of intensive professional training with a 12-week work placement, you get to apply your new knowledge and skills, giving you that competitive edge. 

As an apprentice, you’ll be thoroughly prepared for a job in sustainability and will receive preferential recruitment for internal GVI vacancies.

What professional training will I receive?

You’ll get fast-track training to prepare you for your career, which includes:

• Leadership and managing teams
• Emergency first response
• Off-site safety management and crisis management
• Participant management
• Project management and setting objectives
• Pastoral care, coaching and mental health
• Self leadership, professionalism and customer service
• Delivering effective presentations and workshops
• Partner engagement, onboarding and management
• Communications and social media
• Measuring impact
• GVI policies and procedures

You’ll also get the opportunity to complete online training where you’ll get the following certificates endorsed by the University of Richmond:

• Apprenticeship Program certificate
• Subject Area Foundation certificate
• Leading Teams for Impact certificate
• Careers in Sustainable Development certificate
• Professional Skills certificate

Over and above the professional training, you’ll also participate in practical training sessions that will grow and develop the following skills to benefit your career:

• Project management
• Critical thinking
• Resilience
• Time management
• Cultural awareness
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Community development
• Group and workshop facilitation
• Measuring impact
• Fundraising

Where will I do my work placement?

You’ll complete a 12-week work placement, either with GVI on base or at an external partner organisation. Your placement will be decided during your apprenticeship based on placement availability, your specific career direction, location preferences and skillset. 

Please keep in mind that you’ll need to pass your professional training and project work part of the apprenticeship before you can work for an external project partner.

How do I select the right apprenticeship?

It’s important to select an apprenticeship that matches your passions, interests, skills and career direction. 

If you’re unsure which type or location would suit you best and what exactly differentiates them, please submit an enquiry to our team and we’ll get in touch with you.

Will I get paid during my apprenticeship?

GVI’s professional apprenticeships are not paid. You’ll get exclusive access to valuable training sessions, work on international community projects, learn real-world skills on the job; and get supervision, guidance, and individual career mentoring. You’ll also leave with an impressive CV, a career guarantee, and a network of contacts in the conservation sector.

What’s included in my program fees?

GVI’s program fees cover all food, accommodation, pre-departure support and materials, training and orientation, 24-hour in-country support, and project equipment. 

You’ll also receive pre-program training, GVI online courses (endorsed by the University of Richmond), and the opportunity to work for a conservation partner.

What is the duration of professional apprenticeships?

All of GVI’s professional apprenticeships are six months – three months of training and project work and three months of practical work experience with a partner.

Do I need any experience or qualifications?

No specific community development experience, skills or qualifications are necessary. GVI’s team will provide you with all the necessary training you need. You can even do your TEFL course while teaching abroad!