Where ever you choose to do your IDC between Utila or Roatan you will get a good quality course with personalized instruction, theres no doubt about that. There is a positive and healthy aspect of competition between the dive centers that run IDCs in the Bay Islands, and this ensures that the standards remain high and the diving and lifestyle is great on both islands.
Im writing in response to your post, not to convince you to come and do your IDC with our staff or Utila Dive Centre, but in response to the comment you posted about Looked at UDC but was warned it was a Instructor factory similar to ones in Phuket.
Let me assure you, in spite of what may have been said to you, we never compromise quality, customer service, or an individuals satisfaction for quantity. In fact quite the opposite, like the majority of dive operations in the dive industry we rely on word of mouth and referrals for business, as such we know if we put quantity above anything else and simply look at our divers as a business, we would only accomplish a short term result and not enjoy the reputation that we have. We have been in existence as a dive operation for 15 years, and training Instructors for almost 9 of those, we ensure that every diver that trains with us receives dedicated personalized instruction and a quality course, and in a fun and professional manner and leaves satisfied with an open door to returning to dive with us and ongoing support in their career whether they settle locally or travel to other destinations seeking employment, which is why we do well as a dive business.
I can only assume that any negative or disparaging remark you may have heard about Utila Dive Centre, could have come from somebody who did not train with us and as such has an inaccurate view, as I know that all IDC candidates and higher level Instructors we have trained have never regretted their decision to train with us, over other facilities. If you would like to contact Instructors who have trained with us please PM me and Ill be able to put you in touch with them. From my experience working in the dive industry the majority of negative remarks made are often simply a subjective view, from an outside source, and often unvalidated and part of an opinion, or hearsay.
We realize we cant appeal to all divers but myself, Angel (my colleague and co-Course Director) and Ed (full time IDC Staff Instructor), work extremely hard, and above and beyond what is required of us by PADI and industry standards, to train our candidates to the highest possible standard, prepare them for real world instruction, and provide ongoing support, and advice long after the exams are over, in fact we have also helped many of our IDC candidates go on to become Course Directors as well and set up their own businesses. We do attract more candidates than the other IDC centers in the area, that is a fact in the same sense that I feel Ivy League colleges attracts more graduate applications than most other colleges, or a good gourmet Chef attracts many fine food lovers to a restaurant, if you have a good reputation and do a good job then you will attract clientele.
As I mentioned, we never compromise our course quality for business, and we do our job because we love it, and ensure that all candidates receive the attention and service they deserve and need, and benefit from group dynamics. With regards to the actual numbers youll never be in an evaluation group size of more than 6 candidates (though PADI allow us 8), which gives you the opportunity as an Instructor candidate to have 1 assistant, and 4 students, and good practice, plus also you get to see and play a part in 5 other candidate presentations, we often have 2 evaluators grading you as well, not just 1 and if you need additional time/remediation/practice with us, you get it. Please also bear in mind our IDC is not the 7 day minimum required by PADI but actually 11 days, and having an on site pool gives us more time to work with you on skills and practice for your presentations.
If you do decide to choose our team and facility for the beginning of your career as a dive Instructor, and at the end of your course feel you did not get the training, attention and/or support you needed, then I will personally put my hand in my pocket and refund your course fee, because both your satisfaction and our reputation or more important to us than just business.
My best advice right now is not to antagonize too much on a decision on where to go, carry on doing your research, and go with who you feel best would fit in with your own long term goals and your own philosophy to diver education, I think you have a good idea already and are asking the right questions. Like I said, you will get a good course and attention who ever you choose, I know the CDs and IDC centers in the area and how they work.
Yours sincerely,
Andy
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