Instructor Apprenticeship Programme
Receive your training and experience for free - 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, Divemaster, Emergency First Response Instructor, Open Water Scuba Instructor and Master Scuba Diver Trainer prep as well as experience operating a dive vessel, maintaining dive equipment and much, much more
The
Pacific Divers Instructor Apprenticeship has been developed to give more people the opportunity to engage in professional Instructor training with Pacific Divers. We have been running the professional apprenticeship programmes
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 Instructor Apprenticeship Programme includes all courses from Advanced through to Instructor. Through the programme you will complete 5 PADI specialties and acheive the rating of Master Scuba Diver. You will also go on to become a specialty instructor in 5 specialties once you complete the Master Scuba Diver Trainer prep programme during your Instructor Development Course.
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.
You need to be Open Water certified at the start of the 6 month programme. 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 6 months full 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 apprenticeship (excluding mask, snorkel, fins and dive computer)
- 55 dives not related to courses (approximately 2 - 3 dives a week)
- Training in boat operations, sales and equipment maintenance
- 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, Instructor 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 Instructor 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 course tuition and diving required for courses free of charge (there is a fee for the PADI manuals, certification costs and IDC registration and exam fees). 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, PADI professional membership fees, IDC and Instructor Exam fee. 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 wya to find accommodation is to join Rarotonga based facebook groups or network with our team and other programme participants.
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 (approximately nz$120).
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 programme, whilst ensuring that you receive the highest standard of training so that you leave us as a highly qualified, experienced and confident PADI Instructor.
Once qualified as a PADI Isntructor 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.
How to apply
The first step is to register your interest by creating a booking online. Once we see the booking come through we will review it check against our availability. Don't worry, no charges are made on your credit card until you have been accepted onto the programme, and agree to take part.
Once you have accepted our offer and your dates are confirmed we will charge your credit card the fee indicated at the time of booking. This fee is non refundable should you decide not to take part.
