Dive Careers: Becoming Licensed Scuba Diver in Canada
The Scuba Dive Instructor program at the Sunshine Coast campus of Capilano College in Sechelt, B.C. was announced for media 22 April. Rose Moon was appointed as the Program manager.
The program offered great career path for people who are adventurous by their spirit. The Program manager pointed out various career and educational opportunities once you complete the course.
From all the applicants for the 8-month certificate program only 32 students were selected. The program began in September 2004 and was scheduled to run full-time until April 2005. Upon its completion, graduates passed exams to get qualified to teach scuba diving anywhere around the world. Along with rather extensive class on theory students took 100 educational dives exploring the scenic Sunshine Coast diving location, known for having been ranked as the third best in the world by scuba diving legend, famous Frenchmen Jacques Cousteau. Students also took 6 courses through the Outdoor Recreation Management department of the College. The training courses included a 21-day practical tropical dive training in the region of Mexico Bay.
The requirements for applicants wishing to participate this program are very simple, they don't even need to have previous experience of scuba diving. In fact, the sole requirement is that an applicant needs to be comfortable around the water.
At some point, graduates of this program may decide to go back to school and use their dive program credits towards a Capilano College Outdoor Recreation or Business diploma or Business or Tourism degree.
Career options include teaching scuba at world-class tourism resort destinations or with cruise lines, or working in a variety of aquatic and tourism-related settings. Through their studies, practicum and traveling, students and graduates make important contacts helping them further find job, or start an entirely new career.
Successful students could easily end up being hired by the resorts, dive centers or other scuba diving facility they are working for to manage their aquatic or recreation program, or eventually work into the management of the resort itself. Another option is to become a freelance self-employed dive specialist operating his or her own business in the domain of scuba diving or adventure tourism. In fact, with scuba diving gaining more popularity (by some rough estimates there are 10 to 15 million recreational scuba divers in the North America only) the options are endless.
The Capilano College (British Columbia) Professional Scuba Dive Instructor Program, whose combination of PADI scuba diving training with Capilano University courses prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of positions including outdoor education, tourism management, diving safety and scientific diving support, is the only one of its kind in Canada.
Interested in getting trained and PADI certified to possibly start an exciting career as scuba diver? Call 604.885.4144, or 604.885.9310, local 5909, or e-mail dive@capilanou.ca NOW!
