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>Paul O'Malley said: >Unfortunately I dont think the standard of >candidate has improved, about 11 months ago we hired a recent IDC/IE >graduate and sent them off to the pool with their first course,the pool >owner rang the shop and asked if we knew wether the instructor was certified >(they were) In any other business a brand new person on a job is given a breaking in period where supervision is provided to guide the person along the route the business owner desires. The logistics can be witnessed and the level of quality instruction observed. This type of initial "apprentice" breaking in period can assure a dive operation that instructional continuity will be maintained. I have owned three dive operations and never sent off a brand new instructor with students to a pool without supervision until I was sure he/she knew our system and would perform appropriately within it. This was for selfish reasons as my operations credibility was on the line every time an instructor dealt with a class. >Needless to say the >instructor was fired,but why tell the association who certified them after >all they said this person is competent and qualified.<< Recreational instructors are no longer created in the image of demi-gods, but rather are trained in basic knowledge sufficient to facilitate a system. This is the same approach which is successfully used to train pilots and many other motor skill professions. With that approach it becomes important for the instructor's supervisors to provide all components of that system and to provide guidance as the instructor grows in experience. >>PS. I don't blame PADI, just the examiners.<< Obviously this instructor had a cavalier and unsafe attitude that needed correction. Perhaps firing was the only course of action. As to the issue of competence and qualified: no agency can pass judgement on a candidates future attitude within a specific job environment. I suggest rather than bashing agencies (or more specifically their examiners), let's try to clean up the attitudes and management practices within the industry. That way questionable employees will become good ones through proper supervision and knowledge/attitude development from their superiors. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dave Schubert Executive Director, Dive USA Singer Island, FL. 33404 407/844-5100, FAX: 407/848-0627 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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