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elbert Offline OP
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Belize has laws preventing nonbelizean Scuba Instructors from working in Belize.
Good and bad seems to be present in all laws.
We have a national shortage and it's holding back development in the industry.
Phuket has definitions we might learn from. The dive industry in Phuket is one of the largest and most successful in the world.
190 diving instructors and staff in 114 diving companies in the little island of Phuket.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket...z-clarifies-instructors/29049#ad-image-0

http://www.thephuketnews.com/checks-begin-on-foreigners-working-in-phuket-dive-industry-45486.php


White Sands Dive Shop
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So Elbert - what can be done? I thought there were more dive masters/instructors here then there are customers.


Harriette
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elbert Offline OP
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Harriette, real ones are hard to find, 'real' meaning those that are current and have a licences. About one in 5 that I interview actually can produce a card or document and then it's usually expired.
The Belize Tourist Board, San Pedro Tour Guides Association and labor department all have opinions that need some introspection.
A fresh outlook at a stale situation.
Another extremely successful island dive industry is Utila Honduras. Smaller and less populated than Ambergris, Utila's PADI Career Dive Center is one of the best in the world, producing Half the SCUBA Instructors in the Americas. They are not restricted or burdened by labor laws forbidding foreigners from working in their industry resulting in an economic boom.


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If Elbert is correct that there is a shortage of properly trained instructors, then before one jumps to the conclusion that more non Belizeans should be allowed to work, three questions should be addressed.
1: Are there enough Belizeans wanting to be instructors?
2: If so are there Belizeans capable of being properly trained?
3: Is so are there training programs available.
Most tourist enjoy experiencing the local culture that is best provided by someone who has lived, learned and knows that culture.
Not someone wanting a paid vacation.
I would also be interested in the locally owned dive operations perspective on this issue.

Last edited by bywarren; 04/05/14 06:22 AM.
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elbert Offline OP
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For 10 years Belize has an instructor training facility and a lot of Belizean instructors got their licences there. Scholarships have been available and taken advantage of.
I agree local Tourguides/Divemaster are best and most desired by tourist.
Instructors are a different matter. Allowing non-local instructors could do nothing but improve the stock by bring new and current information and techniques. Existing laws prohibiting them only depresses development.


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You seem to be contradicting yourself. On one hand you say "Instructors are a different matter. Allowing non-local instructors could do nothing but improve the stock by bring new and current information and techniques. For 10 years Belize has an instructor training facility and a lot of Belizean instructors got their licences there. Scholarships have been available and taken advantage of."
And then you say,"Instructors are a different matter. Allowing non-local instructors could do nothing but improve the stock by bring new and current information and techniques."

You seem to answer all three of my questions in the affirmative, only to suggest that the available training might lack "new and current information and techniques."


Last edited by bywarren; 04/05/14 07:03 AM.
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elbert Offline OP
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No, I avoided number 2 because it sounds racist or at least insulting.
The point I would like to make, or was trying to make, about the training facility is that the opportunity has been there for Belizeans wanting to take advantage of it.


White Sands Dive Shop
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OK, so you are not answering one and two in the affirmative. I realize I am easy to confuse. So if I understand you correctly, there are not enough Belizeans willing and able to be trained to fill the need - in your opinion.

Last edited by bywarren; 04/05/14 07:18 AM.
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elbert Offline OP
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Yes


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Who trains the Belizeans in the first place?

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