Becoming a PADI Course Director exposes you to a wide range of employment and business opportunities and lists you among the most highly trained and respected group of educators in diving. However, becoming a Course Director is not an easy feat. The path to achieving the rating requires significant investment and commitment. In this article, we will explore what it takes to make it to the Course Director Training Course (CDTC) and provide insights from some Course Directors who have gone through the process.

The Application Process

The process is fair and measurable, ensuring that future Course Directors are sufficiently prepared for the role. The application process considers both the candidate’s tangible experience as well as their motivation and goals. It comprises various steps, including an online application, an interview and evaluations to ensure the candidate is prepared for the rigorous training.

The training to become a Course Director is intensive, and you need to be well-prepared to handle the demanding tasks that come with it. You must be able to lead, motivate and inspire your students. You must also be able to handle the financial and administrative aspects of conducting Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) and Specialty Instructor courses. Furthermore, Course Directors must possess excellent interpersonal skills in interacting with diving community stakeholders.

In general, the application process includes four broad areas:

Prerequisites
Teaching Experience
The Business Plan
The Interview

The Prerequisites

Before moving forward with the CDTC application, it’s important to note some prerequisites that applicants are required to meet.

First, you must have staffed at least two IDCs after becoming an IDC Staff Instructor, with at least one of these being based on the 2020 curriculum. However, to increase your chances of landing among the top 30 candidates, you should have staffed at least five IDCs.

Regarding ratings, applicants should hold the PADI Master Instructor and EFR Instructor Trainer qualifications. Also required is the successful completion of CDTC exams at an Instructor Examination (IE). These consist of a Dive Theory exam and the Standards and Procedures exam. You can also use Dive Theory Online to count as meeting the requirements of the Dive Theory exam. A successful prescriptive Knowledge Development teaching presentation at an IE is another prerequisite.

As for Quality Assurance (QA) status, you should be free of verified QA complaints in the past 12 months. Note that the CDTC Selection Committee will evaluate your entire QA history. This includes your history of QA complaints, potentially leading to points being deducted from your application if any of those were confirmed standards violations. Therefore, maintaining a clean QA record throughout your career is strongly encouraged.

Teaching Experience

The teaching experience section is a significant part of the application to the CDTC as it reviews your student certification history. This two-part category in the application considers the total number of certifications you’ve issued as well as your continuing education ratio. If you’ve engaged in team teaching, make sure you include supporting documentation using PADI Training Completion Forms (10234).

Becoming an Elite Instructor can significantly bolster your application, and attending specific PADI seminars is recommended. These include the IDC Staff Instructor Updates, especially the 2020 ID Update (Revised IDC) if you became an IDC Staff Instructor before 2020, PADI Mini-Seminars, PADI Business Academy sessions, and Business of Diving Webcasts/Webinars on the PADI Pros’ Site.

Involvement in PADI AWARE activities will also earn you credit. Participating in at least three activities is a good starting point. These include:

Participating in Dive Against Debris Cleanups
Encouraging Your Dive Center to Become 100% AWARE
Promoting the Ten Tips for Divers
Leading an Adopt a Dive Site
Teaching AWARE Specialties

To get credit for these activities, engage in a leadership role, report your data to PADI AWARE via the app, or contact your PADI AWARE representative.

“When it comes to embedding PADI AWARE prerequisites, instead of becoming a 100% AWARE Store within three months of applying, explore the programs of PADI AWARE, call the AWARE staff, and ensure you properly engage in the work. Because from an evaluation perspective, having experience, not checklists, pays dividends towards not just the success of your application, but also your time as a PADI Course Director as well,” advises Jack Fishman, Course Director, and PADI AWARE’s Community and Campaigns Manager.

The Business Plan

Your business plan and affiliation with a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center are important, accounting for 50% of your application. It is essential to be affiliated either with an existing 5 Star IDC Center or a 5 Star Dive Center that plans to expand its course offerings. (Please note that business plans from independent Course Directors are not accepted.)

The business plan must present a realistic return on investment (ROI). It should also embrace your expectations and productivity plans. Hassan Khayal, who attended his CDTC in 2018, says, “My business plan helped me establish a clear vision for my role as a Course Director. It defined my long-term and short-term goals, allowing me to focus on what I wanted to achieve regarding Instructor training, safety standards, and business growth.”

The contents should conform to the guidelines attached to the CDTC application. It’s crucial that your business plan aligns with the dive center’s overall business plan and distinctly outlines your roles in marketing, teaching, scheduling, etc.

Furthermore, your action plan must be approved by your Regional Manager. This step is a collaborative process involving your Regional Manager and the dive center. Upon approval by the Regional Manager, you should forward your plan to the Instructor Development (ID) Department.

What is the CDTC Mentorship Program?

The CDTC Mentorship Program is an additional support system to guide you through the application process. The staff will assist in reviewing the number of certifications issued and seminars attended. They will also help identify any weak areas needing improvement. The mentorship program lets you ask questions about the application and business plan requirements, ensuring you’re adequately prepared. The aim is to work with you to create the strongest application possible.

According to Alan Jan, Director of Instructor Development at PADI Americas, the mentorship program offers candidates the opportunity to connect with experienced and accomplished PADI staff from the Instructor Development Departments of your PADI Office. Jan adds, “Since applying for the CDTC is usually a long-term project, enrolling in the Mentoring Program is a great way to produce the strongest possible application. The PADI staff will come up with a road map to your success and will keep in touch throughout the process. ”

Khayal also shares his perspective on the Mentorship program, “I gained insights from [my mentor’s] personal experiences, which helped me avoid common pitfalls and challenges. Moreover, understanding the business aspects of being a Course Director is crucial. My mentor provided insights into running a successful dive training business, including marketing, risk management, and customer service.”

The Interview

“The interview for the CDTC was an in-person experience,” shares Fishman. “During this time, I was asked about my long-term goals in scuba diving and why I wanted to increase my skills and value with the PADI Course Director rating. At that moment, I felt immense pride in having such a conversation with my mentor. At the same time, I also experienced that classic sense of ‘Impostor Syndrome.’ Thoughts ran through my mind, ‘Am I good enough? Do I deserve this with my current experience? Will I succeed at this incredibly high level?’”

Khayal remembers having the interview on the phone, “There was a combination of nervousness and excitement, given the significance of the CDTC and the honor of being considered for placement in the CDTC altogether. I was eager to showcase my passion for diving, my dedication to education, and my commitment to maintaining PADI’s high standards.”

The interview phase is a significant aspect of the application process, where human connection is vital. Whether in person or online, PADI’s Instructor Development staff, with their deep insights into the industry and the role requirements, conduct interviews to understand and assess candidates.

Becoming a Course Director is a significant milestone that requires substantial investment. It takes a strong business plan, hard work, and dedication to make it to the CDTC. PADI provides you with all the necessary tools and support to help you succeed. However, it is essential to remember that success as a Course Director requires much effort, and you must be willing to do the required work.

A bit of advice: preparation is the key to success. Take the time to perfect your skills in the water, and make sure to be comfortable teaching all levels before coming to the program. This is especially true for candidates who are store owners or managers and have little time to teach while taking care of the day-to-day operations of the shop. Practice rescue techniques and have role model skills. Once you are well prepared, you’ll be able to focus on learning from your peers and the staff at the CDTC without worrying about teaching assignments.

Khayal adds, “While seeking this prestigious certification, remain humble and open to feedback. Acknowledge that there is always room for improvement and growth in your career, and have a good support system. I was lucky enough to share every step of my journey with my brother to the point that the PADI staff would refer to us as ‘The Brothers’. Without him, I would not have achieved my dreams as easily.”

Remember, the path to becoming a Course Director may be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Stay committed, keep learning, and embrace the journey towards helping others discover their passion for teaching scuba diving.

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