The Advantage of Being an Instructor Training Center

The Advantage of Being an Instructor Training Center with Two In-House Instructor Trainers

Why Oceans 5 Gili Air Sets a Higher Standard for Instructor Education

The Advantage of Being an Instructor Training Center with Two In-House Instructor Trainers

In the world of professional scuba diving, not all dive centers are created equal. While many dive shops offer entry-level courses and recreational fun diving, only a limited number operate as full instructor training centers with in-house instructor trainers on the payroll. This difference might sound subtle to someone outside the industry, but for students, instructors, and the long-term quality of teaching, it makes an enormous impact.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, this model has been central to the dive center’s philosophy for many years. With two permanent instructor trainers—Sander Buis and Warren Beyers—Oceans 5 operates very differently from centers that rely on visiting trainers or freelance course directors who fly in for a few weeks and leave again.

This article explains why having two in-house instructor trainers matters, what it means for students, how it benefits the instructors working at the dive center, and why it directly translates into higher teaching quality and safer, more confident dive professionals.

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What Does It Mean to Be an Instructor Training Center?

An instructor training center is not simply a dive shop that occasionally runs instructor programs. It is a facility that is structurally built around education at the professional level. This includes:

• Dedicated classrooms designed for professional-level theory

• Pools suitable for repetitive skill circuits and workshops

• Consistent access to open-water training sites

• Professional-grade equipment and maintenance facilities

• A team culture focused on teaching standards, not just sales

Most importantly, it means that instructor training is not an add-on, but a core activity of the business.

When instructor trainers are employed full-time, rather than hired temporarily, the entire dive center operates with education as its backbone. Decisions about staffing, scheduling, equipment, conservation policies, and even daily diving procedures are made with instructor-level standards in mind.

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The Power of Two In-House Instructor Trainers

Many dive centers are proud if they have access to one visiting instructor trainer. Oceans 5 goes further by having two permanent instructor trainers on payroll. This has several important consequences.

1. Continuity and Consistency

With two in-house trainers, the training philosophy remains consistent year-round. Teaching methods do not change every time a new trainer arrives. Standards are applied the same way in January as in July.

Students benefit from:

• Clear expectations

• Consistent feedback

• No surprises in teaching style

This consistency is one of the main reasons Oceans 5 has built a reputation for producing confident, well-rounded instructors, not just candidates who pass exams.

2. Multiple Teaching Styles, One Philosophy

Having two trainers does not mean confusion or contradiction. On the contrary, it means that students are exposed to different teaching styles within the same educational framework.

This is critical for instructor candidates. In the real world, no two instructors teach exactly the same way. By learning from two trainers, candidates develop flexibility, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of why skills are taught in certain ways—not just how to demonstrate them.

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Advantages for Students

1. More Individual Attention

Instructor training is intense. Candidates arrive with different strengths, weaknesses, and learning speeds. With two trainers available, students receive:

• More personal coaching

• Faster identification of weak areas

• Tailored improvement plans

Instead of pushing everyone through the same rigid schedule, training can adapt to the group and the individual.

2. Real Education, Not “Exam Training”

One of the biggest problems in instructor education globally is that some programs focus only on passing the instructor examination. While exams are important, they are not the same as being a good instructor.

At Oceans 5, the presence of two full-time trainers allows the course to focus on:

• Teaching real students, not just role-players

• Problem-solving in realistic scenarios

• Classroom communication skills

• Student control and situational awareness

The result is instructors who can walk into a real teaching environment and feel prepared—not overwhelmed.

3. Reduced Stress, Better Learning

When courses are run by visiting trainers under time pressure, schedules often become rushed. Long days, packed timetables, and limited flexibility create stress.

With two in-house trainers:

• Training days can be balanced

• Extra workshops can be added when needed

• Candidates feel supported instead of pushed

A calm learning environment leads to better absorption of knowledge and stronger long-term confidence.

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Advantages for Instructors Working at the Dive Center

1. Continuous Professional Development

Instructors at Oceans 5 do not stop learning once they earn their certification. Working daily with two instructor trainers creates an environment of ongoing mentorship.

Instructors benefit from:

• Regular feedback on teaching techniques

• Skill refinement in the pool and ocean

• Exposure to updated training methodologies

This prevents stagnation and keeps teaching standards high year after year.

2. Clear Career Pathways

For divemasters and instructors, working at an instructor training center with in-house trainers creates real opportunities:

• Progression from divemaster to instructor

• Development toward staff instructor or trainer roles

• Exposure to professional-level teaching logistics

Instead of being “just another instructor,” staff members become part of a long-term educational system.

3. Stronger Team Culture

When instructor trainers are permanent staff, they are invested in the success of the entire team—not just the candidates on the current course.

This creates:

• A family-style working environment

• Shared responsibility for teaching quality

• Pride in collective achievements

Instructors are not competing for certifications; they are collaborating to produce better divers and professionals.

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What This Means for Teaching Quality

1. Standards Are Lived, Not Memorized

Quality teaching is not about memorizing standards—it is about understanding their purpose. With two trainers constantly present, standards are discussed, questioned, explained, and applied in real situations.

This leads to:

• Better judgment underwater

• Safer student supervision

• More confident decision-making

2. Conservation Is Integrated, Not Marketed

At Oceans 5, environmental awareness is not a marketing slogan. It is built into daily operations, dive planning, and teaching techniques.

Instructor trainers set the example:

• Neutral buoyancy as a default

• No-touch policies

• Respect for marine park regulations

Because trainers are permanent, these values are reinforced continuously, shaping the mindset of both instructors and students.

3. Long-Term Reputation Over Short-Term Numbers

Dive centers that rely on visiting trainers often focus on volume—how many instructor candidates they can process in a season.

An instructor training center with in-house trainers focuses on reputation. Every instructor who leaves represents the dive center in the global diving community. That awareness naturally drives higher teaching standards.

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Why This Model Matters for the Future of Diving

The diving industry is changing. Conservation pressures are increasing, students are more informed, and expectations of professionalism are higher than ever.

Instructor training centers with permanent trainers are better equipped to adapt to these changes because they:

• Invest in education, not shortcuts

• Build long-term teaching cultures

• Produce instructors who can think, adapt, and lead

For Oceans 5 Gili Air, having two in-house instructor trainers is not a luxury—it is a deliberate choice that defines the dive center’s identity.

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Conclusion

Being an instructor training center with two in-house instructor trainers on the payroll creates advantages at every level:

• Students receive deeper education, more support, and stronger confidence

• Instructors benefit from mentorship, career growth, and a professional working environment

• Teaching quality improves through consistency, experience, and long-term accountability

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, this model has proven that investing in people—trainers, instructors, and students alike—is the most reliable way to maintain high standards in an ever-changing diving world.

It is not about producing more instructors.
It is about producing better ones.

The Advantage of Being an Instructor Training Center with Two In-House Instructor Trainers