Divemaster Apprenticeship Programme
Receive your training and experience - be prepared for a job in the dive industry.
Gain all your PADI certifications including Advanced, Rescue, Equipment Specialist, Night Diver, Deep Diver, Search and Recovery and Emergency Oxygen Provider specialties, Master Scuba Diver and Divemaster, as well as a certificate in first aid and experience operating a dive vessel, maintaining dive equipment and much, much more
The
Pacific Divers Divemaster Apprenticeship (formerly known as an internship) has been developed to give more people the opportunity to engage in Divemaster training with Pacific Divers. We have been running the apprenticeship programme
for many years and it is a great way to get yourself started in a
career in scuba diving. Pacific Divers is a small but busy PADI
5 star dive centre with good staff and a friendly, fun, family atmosphere,
located on the idyllic South Pacific island
of Rarotonga, the Cook Islands.
Our Divemaster Apprenticeship now includes 5 PADI specialties plus Master Scuba Diver. We have done this because Divemasters need to demonstrate experience in several diving areas, and there is no better way to acheive this than completing specialties on those areas. It also gives more exposure to dive theory and more time with the instructional staff to improve your diving skills. In short, we want you to get more out of the programme.
Rarotonga is a gorgeous island with white beaches, a beautiful lagoon only 100m away from the Dive Centre and super clear water for diving. Some of our common underwater neighbors include White tip sharks, Eagle rays, Green and Hawksbill turtles, Moray eels and from June to September the migrating Humpback whales, as well as an abundance of tropical fish. On land there is just as much to experience and get involved in, with just enough people to make it interesting and engaging. There are lots of cultural and sporting activities and at Pacific Divers we encourage our staff to get out and make the island home.
No Experience necessary
If you are not already certified come to Pacific Divers and earn your Open Water qualification. From there you can move on to the apprenticeship for the rest of your training. With a team of experienced Instructors on hand to help you throughout your programme you will come away with a wealth of knowledge, information and experience, as well as the confidence to work as a professional member of the scuba community. And as a PADI 5 star Instructor Development Dive Centre you can be assured that you will be learning and experiencing the best diving practices and operations in the industry as recognized by PADI across the wide range of Divemaster duties.
We can start the programme at any time for any individual. The programme takes up to 4 months full time or 6 months part time.
What the apprenticeship includes
- Professional instruction from our experienced team of Instructors
- Free use of all Pacific Divers rental equipment for the duration of your internship (excluding mask, snorkel and fins)
- 35 dives not related to courses (approximately 2 - 3 dives a week)
- Training in first aid
- All the experience you will gain from being part of a small, professional dive operation in a 5 star Dive Centre
In addition to everything that's included in the Internship Programme, DM Apprentices will also receive the following;
- Training in boat operations on the biggest custom-made dive vessel in the Cook Islands
- Training in marine safety
- Training in compressor usage
- Training in equipment maintenance and repairs
Fees and costs
The Divemaster Apprenticeship Programme is an option for completing your internship, while gaining valuable operational experience in the dive centre. You give us your time and we will give you all the courses (there is a fee for the PADI manuals and certification costs) and diving required for courses free of charge. You will also learn how to operate the boat, fill tanks, service equipment and a whole lot more.
You are responsible for the PADI related costs for each course. This includes the manuals and certification costs, and the PADI professional membership fees. Manuals can be ordered through us, please make an enquiry to get current pricing.
Accommodation
There are many long term rental options available. The best way to find accommodation is to join Rarotonga based facebook groups or network with our team and other programme participants.
Part time vs Full time
There are two schedules based on either a part time or full time commitment. Full time is suitable for visitors to the Cook Islands who are coming specifically for the internship programme. It runs for 4 months, full time. This is a 6 day per week commitment. The part time option is better suited to Cook Islands residents who may be working at the same time. It involves a 30 hour per week commitment, that’s 6 hrs per day, 5 days a week.
Other costs
The other costs to you for attending the programme is your accommodation, personal expenses such as food, communications, transport and entertainment and the Cook Islands Immigration fee.
Who we accept on the apprenticeship programme
We are looking for dynamic people to join our professional team who are hard-working, enthusiastic and keen to learn as much as they can about the exciting world of scuba diving, although still easy-going and enjoy relaxed island living. At Pacific Divers we are very flexible and aim to incorporate your existing skills and interests in to your internship programme, whilst ensuring that you receive the highest standard of training so that you leave us as a highly qualified, experienced and confident Divemaster.
Once qualified as a PADI professional Divemaster you will find a whole world of opportunities will open up to you. Not only will you have a new and exciting qualification, but you will now be able to gain paid employment in any country all over the world as a PADI professional. In addition to this, you will have the full support of PADI, the world’s most recognized diving association.
If you are choosing a career in diving, your next step is the PADI Instructor Development Course and Instructor Exam. Visit our IDC page here for more information about completing an ADC with your apprenticeship.
How to apply
Applications for the Divemaster Apprenticeship programme are competitive. We get many more applications than we are able to accept. Even if you are not successful with your application you can still come and complete the Divemaster Internship Programme in your own time frame.
The first step is to register your interest by creating a booking online. Once we see the booking come through we will be in touch with details about the application.
