Divetalking » Instructor, Report » PADI Member Benefit not available to all Instructors yet paid for by all Instructors
PADI Member Benefit not available to all Instructors yet paid for by all Instructors
I thought PADI stood for Professional Association of Dive Instructors.
Today I received an email stating my PADI Professional Renewal is coming due. Let me take a step back a few years. While attending one of the PADI seminars at DEMA in Orlando, 2008 I had the opportunity to ask the PADI Panel this question. Why are Electronic PIC submission only available to IRRAs and not to ALL Instructors?
PIC stands for Personal Information Card, PIC and IRRA Stands for International Resorts and Retailers Association. Please understand that the PIC is required by ALL instructors when submitting for certification of their students. Its a fundamental need of all qualifying students. Why limit electronic submission of PICS to just IRRAs?
A year and a half later, PADI announces PIC is available online to ALL Instructors.
Now, a few years ago, PADI introduced eLearning. Again, when a student subscribes to an online course, they must choose a PADI retailer in their area. It doesn’t really need to be in their area, but they must choose a retailer. The student cannot choose an Independent Instructor. Why would PADI place this limit on its Independent Instructors?
With out certified divers, there would be little to no shops. Without Instructors, there would be no certified divers. Instructors equals certifications equals shops.
When you renew your PADI Professional Membership, you’ll get some very special benefits, including:
- A suite of online services, including: Expanded PADI eLearning® courses
The online courses they refer to have ZERO Students being referred my way. Does PADI believe that there are enough IRRAs and business to employ every Teaching Status Instructor they have in their database? So why am I paying for something someone else benefits from, PADI and the IRRA?
Instructors, Am I alone on this thought or do you agree? Would you like to see your name presented as a local Instructor to the prospective online student?
Larry
© 2010, lars2923. All rights reserved.
Written by lars2923
PADI MSDT - I've been a diver for over 33 years. I became an instructor because I want to be creditable and able to transfer my knowledge and skills to newer divers. Beside, it cuts down on the expense of diving. NOT! My Motto: First in, Last out
Filed under: Instructor, Report