Sandals Resorts launches dive master internship programme

Saturday, February 04, 2012

In an effort to further enhance the skills and expertise of its water sports division, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) recently launched a six-month dive master internship programme with 15 of its water sports attendants that will fully integrate dive enthusiasts into the Caribbean's most comprehensive dive programme.

The programme, which kicked off at a launch ceremony at Sandals Montego Bay, will take participants through the paces of open water diving, advanced diver training, first aid and CPR, rescue diver techniques and a dive master course, complete with PADI certification and extensive seamanship instruction. Upon completion, attendants will be able to execute both land and ocean-based dive programmes.

The first of its kind for the all-inclusive resort chain, the dive master internship programme will be free for participants and will be led by the resorts' first rate instructors. Michael Clarke, watersports director at SRI noted that this internship programme allows further training and development opportunities which would otherwise prove costly for the individual team members.

"We are committed to providing the opportunity to train those interested in advancing themselves in this chosen career path," Clarke continued.

The newly launched Jamaica programme will be used as a pilot with plans for extending the dive master internship initiative to St Lucia, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and Antigua. Given the dearth of certified dive instructors, Clarke believes this programme will have exponential benefits for the wider community.

"Jamaica and the other islands will surely benefit from this initiative as we seek to create additional certified dive professionals within the workforce," Clarke noted.

To participate in the programme interns are required to be 18 years of age or older, an above-average swimmer, have a mastery of the English language and a good grasp of numeric calculations. A medical examination as well as skills and theoretical assessment are also mandatory components of the selection process. The internship programme will be conducted by SRI watersports consultant, Noylis Amair, a 30-year veteran of the industry and Dr Charles Eyles, dive training and development co-ordinator.

To date, Sandals Resorts' dive programme covers over 325 sites across the Caribbean, utilising state-of-the-art Scuba-pro equipment on guided exploration tours which seek to broaden the knowledge and skills of all those involved in diving.