Give your CV a Boost with a Frontier Project

There’s no doubt about it, the employment market is a daunting prospect at the moment with competition for jobs at an all-time high. So what better way to stand out from the crowd than with an internationally recognised qualification gained on an unforgettable trip of a lifetime? PADI, BTEC, TEFL, CoPE, FGASA…we’ve got them all!

Here at Frontier we’re passionate about training and education and offer our volunteers the opportunity to formalise the practical training you will receive out on our projects with a number of specially designed internationally recognised, endorsed and accredited qualifications. Our highly qualified UK and overseas field staff are committed to ensuring that all our volunteers receive quality training out on the projects. The flexible nature of the projects themselves means that whether you want a short, medium or long-term trip, chances are we’ve got something that fits. So there really is no better time than right now to put yourself out there and nab yourself some all important qualifications and career skills.

So if you want to work towards getting your dream job and think it’s time you gave your CV a boost then check these out...

BTEC:

BTECs are work-related qualifications which provide a practical, real-world approach to learning without sacrificing any essential subject theory and are recognised by colleges, universities, employers and professional bodies across the United Kingdom and in over 100 countries worldwide. BTEC qualifications are developed with key industry representatives and sector skills councils to ensure that the qualification provides the best training.

Frontier offers a range of BTECs which have been designed specifically for our global projects and can be completed by volunteers. On offer is a BTEC certificate or diploma in Tropical Habitat Conservation and a BTEC certificate in Expedition Management. These BTECs can put you ahead of the competition by showing recruiters that you have that key combination of fieldwork experience and rigorous training that makes a good scientist - perfect for those looking to pursue a career in conservation and outdoor management. This can be gained on our projects out in Costa Rica, Madagascar, Tanzania, Fiji, Cambodia and the South East Asia and Central America Trails.

Our BTEC certificate in Expedition Management can be gained on Frontier’s Tanzania and Madagascar Expedition Management Projects.

Example Project: Tanzania Expedition Management Project

Frontier’s Tanzania Expedition Management Project is situated in the Eastern Arc Mountains and Costal Forests of the eastern coast of Tanzania and Kenya, a biodiversity hotspot. Whilst on the project you’ll not only get to enjoy your stunning surroundings but will also learn how to lead your own unforgettable expedition. You’ll receive training in navigation, camp siting, provision planning, communications, health and safety, route planning, debriefing, team communications, decision making, ecological research and much more. The Expedition Management BTEC adds depth to your experience by actively building your research and fieldwork skills under the close supervision of top field professionals.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL):

TEFL qualifications are a fantastic way to gain valuable skills and experience. This is the perfect option for those wishing to pursue a career in education and teaching as well as being a very rewarding experience.

Frontier offers an array of specially designed teaching and sports coaching projects in numerous countries world-wide. In addition to gaining TEFL qualifications, volunteers also get to immerse themselves in the local culture and contribute to local communities.

Frontier offers the opportunity to gain TEFL qualifications on 78 of our projects and has developed three levels of TEFL experience to choose from (a TEFL certificate, a TEFL certificate plus a two day residential training course and a BTEC advanced certificate in teaching English as a foreign language.)

Example Project: Cambodia Orphanage

Frontier’s Cambodia Orphanage Project is just one of the many projects we run on which volunteers can gain a TEFL qualification. Whilst out on our Cambodia Orphanage project volunteers have the freedom to get creative and be inspiring with their care work and teaching. Teaching these children English is a powerful way to enable them to access opportunities that would otherwise be entirely denied to them, and is also an enjoyable way to build up your own skill base and independence with practical TEFL experience, whilst embracing the exotic and friendly culture of this spellbinding pocket of Asia.

Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE):

The CoPE enables candidates to develop and demonstrate key personal and employability skills. Frontier is registered with ASDAN awarding body and has designed its CoPE qualifications so that volunteers can use the skills they learn on our projects to achieve qualifications that will support their university applications and CVs. On successful completion of the CoPE, candidates will earn 70 UCAS points which can be used towards university applications.

Volunteers can gain a CoPE qualification with Frontier on 19 projects throughout Costa Rica, Madagascar, Tanzania, Cambodia, Fiji and Kenya as well as on the Central and South East Asia Ethical Adventure Trails and on the Fantasy Gap Year. The CoPE qualification is a great way to make your application or CV stand out from the rest and really enables volunteers to get the most out of their trip. Adding an extra dimension to your CV is never a bad thing.

Example Project: Costa Rica Big Cats, Primates and Turtle Conservation Project

This is the perfect project for volunteers to gain their CoPE with training provided in a various areas. Our volunteers work in the Pacific rainforests and beaches near Corcovado, which is home to a large range of endangered plant and animal species and is one of the most remote parks in Costa Rica. Whilst on the project volunteers will be trained in and carry out extensive biodiversity surveys on monkeys, forest amphibians, sea turtles and exotic birds, as well as carrying out big cat monitoring, canopy insect collection and learning track and scats skills. Not only does this project give volunteers the chance to get up close to some amazing wildlife, it also teaches them a whole host of important and useful skills which aid them in gaining their CoPE qualification.

PADI Dive Training:

Whether you’re a complete rooky or an experienced diver, Frontier can help you get out there and explore the fascinating underwater world and witness some of the most magnificent marine ecosystems in the world. PADI qualifications can be gained on Frontier’s marine conservation projects anywhere from Fiji to Costa Rica.

Scuba diving is essential to the underwater survey and conservation work carried out by Frontier on these projects and is integral part of the important scientific research being carried out. For those of you looking to earn your PADI advanced open water qualification, Frontier’s marine research programmes offer the perfect location for this, with crystal clear waters and a wealth of diverse and dazzling marine habitats and wildlife. 
 

Example Project: Fiji Marine Conservation & Diving

Frontier’s Fiji Marine Conservation and Diving Project offers volunteers the opportunity to gain dive qualifications in some of the most stunning and beautiful coral reefs in the world. Fiji's irresistible shores are fringed with picture-perfect palm trees, and the azure waters that surround the islands are inhabited by an astonishing array of marine creatures; over 1,200 species of fish including clownfish, triggerfish, blue tangs, 12 species of whales including humpbacks, dolphins, anemones, soft coral and much more. This is the perfect project for all divers from first timers to the more experienced. And what better way to improve your drive skills than in this stunning setting with a group of like minded people?

FGASA Level 1 Field Guide Course

The FGASA Level 1 Field Guide is an excellent qualification for those looking to pursue a career as a field guide or park ranger and can be gained on Frontier’s South Africa Field Guide Course in either Kruger or Port Elizabeth as well as on the South Africa safari Field Guide 6 month Internship. The course consists of lectures and theoretical work as well as practical field work and game drives and is a fantastic way to discover amazing facts about the stunning South African landscapes and surrounding nature.

Participants will work alongside trainers on projects acquiring knowledge on local animal and bird species as well as complete a short first aid course specially designed to tackle problems encountered whilst exploring the bush. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to go on early morning bushwalks and spend several days in the National Parks when conditions are favourable. The course covers 14 modules including studies on birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, plants, freshwater fish, basic geology, basic ecology and much much more. An absolutely great qualification for those dreaming of becoming a field guide or park ranger and what better way to gain experience than in the stunning and exhilarating setting of South Africa’s National Parks.

Example Project: South Africa Field Guide Course

Frontier’s South Africa Field Guide Course offers an amazing opportunity to get up close to Africa’s big five whilst also gaining a great qualification. The game reserve is home to all of Africa's Big Five animals (the lion, the African Elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros) as well as many others, and you may get to help out with the reserve's animal rehabilitation work. The course objective is to train and qualify highly competent and skilled nature guides in all aspects of field guiding and to provide an experience for all participants to develop a greater appreciation of our natural environment and be able to effectively communicate that knowledge.

By Hannah Jones