New 2010 PADI materials

There have been some changes to PADI materials for 2010. The main changes concern PADI Divemaster and PADI Instructor level training. GYD have taken these changes on board and all professional level training programmes will include all the new materials. You can find out more about the material changes by visiting the following blog:

See the Middle East Blog

NEW Indonesia Project...launching December 2009

The programme is designed for gap year students, students looking for a thesis and dissertation topic, those on career breaks and anyone who is interested in more than your average holiday!

The rojects range from 2 weeks to 10 weeks in duration and focus on Biorock® conservation work and PADI scuba diver training (from Open Water to Divemaster). Volunteers can expect to receive hands-on training in the practice of Biorock® coral reef,fisheries restoration and shore protection; including theory, design, construction, installation, monitoring, maintenance, and repair of Biorocks®.

The project operates on Gili Trawangan in Indonesia. The area is the second largest Biorock® site in the world and the reef restoration project is coordinated by the Gili Eco Trust. With your help we hope to reverse a lot of the damage done to the shallow water corals due to irresponsible fishing practices, pollution and El Nino weather effects.

First start date is April 14th 2010. Prices are yet to be confirmed but all projects will include PADI training, Biorock® Speciality, Biorock® Conservation Studies, accommodation, transfers and 3 meals a day.

Please visit the Indonesia Project page for more info

DMIT Finds full time work in Egypt

Richard Keaney, a career breaker who joined our Instructor Traineeship in Egypt in June 2009 has been offered a contract working at the dive centre.

If you fancy a career change or a professional learning experience, have a look at our great Dive Management and Instructor Traineeships in Dahab, Egypt.

Previous customers have also gone on to work at the dive centre. Others have found work in destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Mexico and Canada.

December 2009
We are also now in a position to offer Instructor posistions in Fiji and The Bahamas for people who complete the programmes.

New programmes

Aside from revamping our website, GYD has just launched a range of new programmes. There a two programmes in Australia, a range of learn-to-dive and Divemaster programmes with marine research for the Roatan Marine Park in Honduras and a new bio-rock conservation programme in Indonesia (details to yet to be published).

We are also lauching a new programme in Ecuador. This will include Diving courses, Spanish lessons, surfing lessons and adventure tours through Ecuador. Keep visiting our website for details.

Programme pages updated

After receiving a number of questions from people about our programmes, we have changed the layout of our programme pages. We 'think' that our old pages were maybe a bit long and we have therefore condensed the information to more manageable chunks in the central area. We think you'll find it easier to find the prices, dates and inclusions now...we hope...

Please do tell us if areas need improving as we're keen to get the right information across all the time! Thanks.

Customer Case Studies and Testimonials

We are currently introducing a range of case studies into our website. The case studies are designed to provide information to potential customers about what it mike be like to join a programme.

We currently have quite a lot of case studies for people who have joined one of our Divemaster courses in Egypt. There are also two useful case studies from 'career changers' and we are awaiting four new instructor case studies to add to the list.

We also have a testimonials page. When we don't ask a customer for specific information we quite often get feedback from them anyway telling us a bit about their experiences.

>> View case studies
>> View testimonials

Vocational Training and 'toolkits'

Are you one of the thousands of people who can't get into university this year? Maybe you've finished university and you can't get a job? Why not use your time constructively and train to become a scuba diving professional?

In as little as 4 to 10 weeks you could obtain a Divemaster license. This would enable you to work as a dive guide and supervise instructors around the world. It's a professional qualification that lasts a lifetime (although you must ensure your membership remains active if you intend to work) and you can use it throughout your life.

A step up from Divemaster is Instructor. If you really are finding it hard to find a job in the UK, maybe it's time to get away from it all and train in something new?! In as little as 7 to 15 weeks you could be a fully trained Scuba Instructor earning money working overseas.

If you're looking for a vocational toolkit to use around the world, please read about becoming a Divemaster or our Dive Management and Scuba Instructor Traineeships

New Website and programmes

Our new website has just been launched. New categories such as 'Diver Training', 'Marine Conservation' etc should make it easier to find a programme of interest. We have also launched some new programmes in Thailand, Ecuador and Belize. The programmes focus on marine conservation and videography.

New DMT's and DMIT's in action - May 2009

Our new Divemaster and Instructor traineeships are in full flow in Dahab, Egypt. We currently have 9 trainees doing professional training and they are soon to be joined by at least 10 more gappers and career breakers in June. If you would like a professional learning experience in the Red Sea, please contact the office on 0845 257 3292 to discuss the training and destination in more detail.

Avian Swine Flu

If you are concerned there is more information at the following sites:

• World Health Organisation (www.who.int),
• National Travel Health Network and Centre (http://nathnac.org/travel/news/swineinfluenza_270409.htm)
• United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx).

Full member of the Year Out Group

Gap Year Diver (GYD) has been accepted as a full time member of the year out group (YOG). GYD has met certain requirements in order to meet industry standards and is now recognised as an official year out provider. The important things you need to know are that:

• We agree to adhere to the Code of Practice and Terms and Conditions of the YOG
  
• We sign up to the YOG charter each year
• We provide annual accounts
• We a crisis and risk policy in place, together with trained staff
• We have public liability insurance of £5million

These standards should give you the re-assurance and support that we are a reputable and recognised year out provider.

New Career Development Programmes

Gap Year Diver has teamed up with a 5* PADI Career Development Centre to deliver a range of exclusive Divemaster and Instructor traineeships in Dahab, Egypt.

The traineeships focus on career development and professional level training. They allow individuals to work in a busy dive centre whilst learning at the same time. Exclusive work experience and dive management modules have been built into each traineeship too. This means that customers leave the traineeship fully prepared for a career in diving.

To find out more, please read about the Divemaster Traineeship and Dive Management and Instructor Traineeships on the Gap Year Diver website.