Take the right career path for you and sign up for our internship programme
There is a huge international need for well trained and experienced dive professionals. Dive school and dive operators are prepared to pay good money for the right person with the right skills.
Unfortunately the big certification and training agencies do not cater for this demand and a diving instructor certification does not cover even a third of the skills required. In fact it is quite scary how easy it is to become a diving instructor today. As a result there is an oversupply of under-skilled diving instructors that earn very little. There is however a dearth of skilled professionals.
Although working as a divemaster/instructor in a palm fringed dive resort is a great experience, it is only viable for a short period of time and can not be considered as a long term career. There is however a good living to be made in being a highly skilled manager and an even better life to be had in owning your own dive operation.
It is not uncommon for fully qualified instructors to join our career courses as they realise that they do not have the skills to make a decent living in diving. Skills, experience and knowledge are gained over time and are not necessarily the best quality. It is far better to be taught “best practice” right from the start.
The aim of the Internship Program is to give the diver the tools to succeed in the industry
The ultimate goal is to equip the candidate with the skills and knowledge needed to open and run a successful dive operation, or to become a well paid manager is a successful operation.
The course will provide the candidate with knowledge and the experience in working in a business as well as a successful dive instructor. A high number of graduates from our courses have gone onto successful careers using the knowledge gained from this programme.
We believe in not just teaching candidates using just teaching book knowledge, but using the many years of actual hands on experience in running successful resorts and dive shops.
If you are serious about a career in the Scuba industry then the internship is the right choice for you !
Why the Divetek Pro Course?
- Divetek have a wealth of knowledge and actual experience in the industry.
- The course does not just provide short term theory courses, but actual hands on experience.
- We have had huge success with post course job placements.
- The cost in both money and time is low compared to training in other careers.
- The cost of each course taken individually would be much higher.
- You actually spend a large amount of your time in training – where as many other places will just use you as cheep labour and provide very little training.
- We run, manage and own one of the biggest dive shops in the country and you will be exposed to the ins and outs of Divetek.
What is the difference between the Pro Course the Internship?
The Internship
The internship programme is open for 2 – 3 candidates, who will attend the course from Jan – May as per the Pro Course, but pay considerably less. In return, they will then work for Divetek from June until the end of the year. This will provide them with hands on work experience in all aspects of the business, and a very good possibility of being employed full time by Divetek at the end of the 6 month work obligation.
The Pro Course
The Pro Course candidates pay the full price and attend the course from January till May. Upon completion of the Pro Course, candidates will be qualified dive instructors with some business knowledge. We will assist where possible to place them at positions within the industry, but not necessarily within Divetek.
Course Content
INSTRUCTION AND DIVING
- Open Water diver
- Advanced diver
- Nitrox course
- Advanced rescue and First Aid
- Master diver
- Divemaster
- Rebreather course
- Decompression chambers
- Instructor training course
- Free Diving
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
- General Management
- Human resources skills
- Marketing and image building
- Customer relations
- Financial Management Budgeting
- Costing and business planning
- Costing and decision making
- Personnel management
- Motivation and success
- Time management
SCUBA REPAIR AND TECHNICAL COURSES
- Compressor operation
- Compressor maintenance
- Regulator repair
- Instrument testing and repair
- Visual inspection course
- BC repair
- Cylinder valve servicing
- Gas blending
- Computer battery changes
SALES AND MARKETING
- Equipment Knowledge
- Diving sales techniques
- Customer relations
- Marketing
- Online sales
- Invoicing
Course Cost
During the course, you are not locked into a 5 month obligation. If you feel you are not getting good value for money from the course you can simply leave at any time and you will not be liable for any further payment.
Interns will not earn salaries for the duration of their 6 month work obligation.
The only training exclusion is the NAUI Instructor manuals and registration that is paid to NAUI directly.
Included:
- The costs of all the courses
- Transport to and from the dive resorts
- Accommodation at the resorts but not in Johannesburg
- Training manuals, books, registration and certification cards
- Air fills, Nitrox fills, and cylinder hire
Excluded:
- Food and drink
- Accommodation in Johannesburg
- Transport to and from training centre and house
(The candidates do however share cars and petrol costs for this) - Gear Rental
PRE-REQUISITES:
- At least 18 years old.
- Needs to pass a diving medical.
- Note: you do not need to be a qualified diver to enrol
- You must provide:
- 2 recent clear passport sized photos
- 2 Copies of your medical
- All candidates applying for the Pro Course / Internship Programme will need to go through an interview process before admission to the course. Candidates who are not selected for the Internship may still be admitted to the Divetek Pro Course.
EQUIPMENT:
- Mask, fins, snorkel
- 5mm wetsuit suitable for 14-24 degrees C.
- B.C.
- Single hose regulator with Octo, SPG and depth gauge
- Computer
- Knife
- Compass
- Weight belt
NOTE: If you do not have your own gear, please wait for advice from the staff to ensure you purchase the most suitable equipment!
* All theory material and manuals are included
VENUES:
- The course is to be held at the training centre in Johannesburg.
- Practical dives will be held at Sodwana Bay or at Sterkfontein dam – Accommodation at these sites is included in the course fee
- Assistance with finding shared accommodation in JHB with other candidates can be provided or arranged
- Transportation to dive sites is included
- Transportation to and from the daily training facility is not included
ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT:
- Divetek has a staff house close to the training facility
- Rental for candidates at the house will be between (all inclusive):
R2500 – R4500 a month depending on the room size. You will have access to use of the pool and Jacuzzi, as well as free WiFi, maid and gardener. - Should you require accommodation, please enquire what rooms are available and what the full arrangements are.
Transport to and from the training centre can be provided for a small contribution as several Divetek full time staff live at the Divetek house.
Qualifications, Certifications and Training Association
Upon completion of their highest level of training, the candidates will receive a Divetek Instructor certification.
Candidates then have the option to complete their NAUI cross over certification at an additional fee (this is set by the relevant training association).
Please note: In order to work in other facilities as an instructor, you may be required to complete a cross over to a different agency such as NAUI, CMAS, SSI, PADI, IANTD etc. After the internship this will be a “walk in the park!”
We recommend that you do not crossover to other agencies until you have a good job opportunity.
Application and Dates for 2022:
The Pro course / internship starts in January and ends in May 2022. Exact dates will be finalised towards the end of this year.
The interns then get two weeks holiday and work from June until the end of the year.
Places on the Pro Course / Internship is limited and as a result we are looking for the highest possible calibre of candidate.
Acceptance on the course is not automatic – you must submit a C.V. with your application and will be informed of your status as soon as possible.
You may be required to attend an interview or furnish further information.
Course Booking
Please keep in mind that there is a very strict application process and this does not guarantee entrance to the Career Course. Our spaces are limited and we are looking for the highest calibre of candidate.
This course is presented by David Cohen, who has been in the Industry for over 30 Years.
Please contact us for further information on the Career Course.
Call David on 011 791 1095 or email: [email protected] (or) [email protected]