Instructors/DMs Problem getting a job with specific agencies?

[Sonofasailor]

This is a two part question for you DMs and Instructors out there, since I am planning on going that route in the near future.

I have the option of taking a DM course, and eventually AI and Instructor course through a friend, at a very reasonable rate. This person teaches through YMCA, and what I am wondering is, with this agency, would I have a hard time getting a job as a DM on a dive boat whose shop uses PADI or NAUI? At the same time, if I went all the way up to Instructor, and would like to teach classes out of a NAUI or PADI shop, would they allow me to do this with a YMCA Instructor rating?

The second part of my question is, say I go through with the YMCA DM program, can I later take NAUI or PADI's Instructor program or will they make me go back and get their organization's DM cert?

thanks!

[japan-diver]

The YMCA cert may may it hard to find a teaching position at a NAUI or PADI shop- talk to the shops in the area where you plan on teaching and that will give you an idea. A dive master cert should not matter but again asks the shops/boats you plan on working with.

For NAUI a DM from another agency can take our ITC by attending a Prep course which inlcudes intro to NAUI and how we do things, skills check out etc... I run the course in a long weekend before my ITC's for all my candidates so they know what to expect and weak areas to work on- or to tell someone they might not be ready.

NAUI CD 17952

[pir8]

As a YMCA Instructor you could not teach a PADI course. YMCA DM should be accepted for prerequizits toward instructor. Can't say how a shop would consider hireing a different agency DM, consider that some shops only want to hire DMs that they trained. Boats aren't necessarily associated with a shop so theres another possibility

[shurite7]

Once you receive your YMCA instructor rating you can cross over to NAUI or PADI; of course they will charge you a fee which is determined by the course director not the agency.

Finding a job; I found it was best to cross over and obtain my PADI instructor rating so now I have both NAUI & PADI. Most operators in the tropics teach through PADI. However, it will depend on the shop you want to work for. I've know people who only hold a rating in one agency and some of them are not PADI and they had no problem obtaining employment. However, they knew exactly where and what they wanted to do.

You will need to take a good look at what you want to do and where you want to go; having an instructor rating with two agencies is not a bad thing. The primary disadvantage is $$$$$$.

Chris

[Walter]

There are two concepts about hiring instructors from different agencies. Some want to be a solo agency shop (that's basically all the PADI 5 star means) others like to advertise as many agencies as possible. Depends on the shop. OTOH, all shops like having instructors from other agencies on staff for referrals (although some will require a crossover).

I think a more important question is which approach to instruction suits your philosophy best? You can always look for employment at shops that have the same outlook. You can also teach as an independent.

[oly5050user]

Once you receive your YMCA instructor rating you can cross over to NAUI or PADI; of course they will charge you a fee which is determined by the course director not the agency.

Finding a job; I found it was best to cross over and obtain my PADI instructor rating so now I have both NAUI & PADI. Most operators in the tropics teach through PADI. However, it will depend on the shop you want to work for. I've know people who only hold a rating in one agency and some of them are not PADI and they had no problem obtaining employment. However, they knew exactly where and what they wanted to do.

You will need to take a good look at what you want to do and where you want to go; having an instructor rating with two agencies is not a bad thing. The primary disadvantage is $$$$$$.

Chris

There are no true crossovers thru PADI,its not a matter of filling out a form and handing over $...with an instr ticket from a different agency you still have to go through an IDC/IE at the same costs as anyone else..Its true that being that most facilities are PADI it is easier to find work with a PADI instr rating.I would suggest going to your local lds that you would like to teach out of and taking their DM course there and completing your IDC with them.This way you are known to them and have a better chance of getting classes.