Work as Diving Instructor

[Werner]

Does anyone know or has experience with: work and work permit as dive instructor with foreign languages (English, Dutch, German)? :?:

[tamara]

These jobs are not open to non-bahamians.
If a company ihas a job opening, it must be made available to the bahamian workforce, if there is noone available, and the company is interested in hiring you, they would need to apply for a work permit on your behalf and pay a very expensive fee (Thousands of dollars per year).

Your employer would have to prove that you have a necessary skill that no bahamian can possess or learn. Since there are tons of bahamian Dive Masters who are unemployed, I doubt the government would allow an foreigner to hold a position such as this. BTW, speaking English and german is not really a plus, there are plenty of multi-lingual bahamians and expats.


Good luck.

[Werner]

Hi Tamara,

question? I'm not a Divemaster, but a certified Dive Instructor with teaching status.
Wich means, I can give Dive lessons, and can certify them.
A Dive Master is not allowed to do this.

[tamara]

Sorry, I used the wrong term.
You'll still have a very hard time finding an outfit that would be allowed to hire you.
I know of handful of instructors who are out of work at this moment.
All certified instructors. Several who have had thier own businesses.

Unemployment is at it's highest in the bahamas. The government policy is to protect the job market for bahamians. (most caribbean countries have the same policies)

Perhaps when the economy changes, things will be different. But at this point, I'd say your chances are very slim.

Perhaps you should offer your services to the dive shops and see what they say. There are quite a few. I'm sure you can find a listing online.

Stuart Cove, Divers Haven, Bahama Divers, Native Divers to name a few.

[Divermon]

I have frequented Grand Bahama Island for years, and have gotten to know several Dive Guides there. I know that in good economic times, it is a possibility, though still, have to go through all the steps, with no guarantee. At this time, in this economy, I can imagine it would be even harder to do.

I always go to UNEXSO (Underwater Explorers Society) http://www.unexso.com/, on Grand Bahama. They are probably the best outfit in the Bahamas, where a lot of the research for decompression took place.... conduct a miriad of training courses and certifications... have their own hyperbaric chamber, etc.... definitely a class outfit.

I know that at least in better economic times, they have been successful at hiring people from outside the Bahamas. You might give them a call (800.992.DIVE), or email (info@unexso.com), but I wouldn't get my hopes up, as I'm sure Tamara's comments are quite accurate, and she would be in a position to know, more-so than I.