(DiverWire) The dive industry in the Bahamas just got stronger! Thanks to the efforts of the non-profit Ralph Erickson Foundation, a new group of PADI Instructors has just received their training and certifications.
It’s the second year for this impressive program, presented by the Erickson family and Patrick and Sherry Hammer. The event is hosted at Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas in Nassau. The Foundation grants PADI Instructor Development Programs (IDCs) to under privileged candidates.
“We are pleased with this second class of deserving local divemasters looking to advance to becoming Instructors,” said Patrick Hammer. “Not only is this huge for the Bahamas, but a newly certified Instructor has the opportunity to substantially increase their income. In many areas, upon completion of the IDC and passing of the IE (exams) a candidate’s income has the potential to more than double.”
To date, the Foundation has produced 18 new PADI Instructors, 2 Assistant Instructors, 3 IDC Staff Instructors and 21 Emergency First Response Instructors.
As co-founder of PADI and responsible for creating it’s outstanding educational programs, Ralph believed diving could change the world. Dedicated to carrying on Ralph’s philosophy, the Ralph Erickson Educational Foundation’s (REEF) goal is to promote change in an individuals life by granting them the opportunity to become involved in a new career in the dive industry. It is the foundation’s hope that these new PADI instructors will have successful jobs in the industry and perhaps continue on to open dive centers of their own.
To keep this program going the foundation depends on donations. With your support we can grow the DIVE industry. Visit us on face book- Ralph Erickson Educational Foundation and at www.reefoundation.org
