IDC Staff Instructor Course – Khao Lak, Thailand
Train the Next Generation of Diving Professionals
The PADI IDC Staff Instructor certification is your gateway to the highest levels of professional influence in the diving industry.
As a Staff Instructor, you help Course Directors during IDCs. You mentor future instructors. You play an important role in shaping safe, confident, and skilled PADI professionals.
This course is ideal for instructors who want to:
- Expand their teaching abilities
- Deepen their understanding of PADI systems
- Move toward PADI Master Instructor and eventually Course Director
Under the guidance of Ed Bosworth, you'll learn how to evaluate candidates, deliver professional-level presentations, and understand the full IDC process from a staff perspective.
Level Up Your Professional Career
Staff Instructors are highly respected and trusted by dive centres worldwide. You become part of the professional development team – not just teaching divers, but shaping future instructors.
Build Advanced Teaching Skills
You will strengthen your own teaching through evaluation practice, feedback skills and lesson analysis.
Step Toward Master Instructor & Course Director
IDC Staff Instructor is the required leadership rating on the path to becoming a PADI Master Instructor and Course Director.
Gain Valuable Work Opportunities
IDC centres often hire Staff Instructors to support their ongoing professional-level programs – including Khao Lak's busy IDC season with Go2Similan Diving.
Skills Developed in IDC Staff Instructor Course
During the IDC Staff Instructor course you will develop:
IDC Supervisory Skills
How to assist a Course Director throughout an IDC
Student management strategies
Workshop leadership
Candidate mentoring techniques
Candidate Evaluation Skills
You will learn to evaluate IDC candidates using the same scoring system used at the Instructor Examination, including:
Knowledge Development Presentations
Confined Water Teaching Presentations
Open Water Teaching Presentations
Skill Demonstrations
Professionalism and counselling assessments
Higher-Level Teaching Techniques
Advanced briefing and debriefing
Error recognition and correction
Coaching for performance improvement
Handling nervous or struggling candidates
In-Depth Knowledge of the IDC Process
You will gain a full understanding of:
IDC structure and scheduling
PADI standards and procedures
Quality management and candidate readiness
How to deliver mock exams and review sessions
IDC Staff Instructor Course Structure Overview
The IDC Staff Instructor course typically includes:
❶ IDC Staff Instructor Orientation
- Role and responsibilities of a Staff Instructor
- Standards, procedures and professional expectations
❷ Independently Conducted Evaluations
- Confined water evaluations
- Open water evaluations
- Classroom knowledge presentations
❸ Assisting on a Full IDC
You will join a complete IDC led by Ed Bosworth, working alongside the IDC candidates to:
- Observe and assist in teaching
- Evaluate candidate performance
- Provide coaching and feedback
- Take part in daily planning and review sessions
❹ Performance Demonstrations
You will independently present:
- A Knowledge Development Presentation
- A Confined Water skill session
- An Open Water teaching scenario
…followed by detailed feedback from Ed.
IDC Staff Instructor Course Duration Options
Course length depends on how you join:
- Full IDC Program (recommended): approximately 10–17 days See Upcoming IDC dates schedule
- Staff Instructor Upgrade Module only: approximately 3–4 days
The full IDC option offers the richest experience and most real-world value.
IDC Staff Instructor Course Pricing Details
(Adjust these figures to match whatever final structure you decide.)
IDC Staff Instructor Course – 25,000 THB
Assisting a full IDC included.
IDC Staff Instructor + IDC Package Add-On – 20,000 THB
For candidates already joining your IDC who also want to earn the Staff rating.
Includes:
- All IDC Staff Instructor training sessions
- All evaluations and teaching presentations
- Participation in a full IDC
- Feedback and mentoring from Ed
- Access to professional teaching resources
- Lunch during IDC days
- Certification processing (excluding PADI fee)
Excludes:
- PADI Staff Instructor application fees
- IDC eLearning materials (if required)
- Accommodation (optional shared accommodation available)
Staff Instructor Course Prerequisites
To join the IDC Staff Instructor Course, you should be:
- A PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
- At least 18 years old
- In teaching status with current professional insurance
- Fit for diving, with a recent medical if required
Frequently asked Questions
Who is the IDC Staff Instructor course for? The IDC Staff Instructor course is designed for experienced PADI Instructors who want to move into higher levels of leadership and become actively involved in training the next generation of dive professionals. It's ideal if you enjoy mentoring other instructors, want to strengthen your evaluation skills and are working towards PADI Master Instructor or Course Director.
What will I be able to do as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor? As a certified IDC Staff Instructor, you can help Course Directors during Instructor Development Courses (IDCs). You can also evaluate IDC candidates using official PADI scoring rules. You help run teaching workshops and presentations. You become part of the professional training team rather than just teaching divers — directly shaping future PADI Instructors.
How long does the IDC Staff Instructor course take? Course duration depends on how you join. The most complete option is to staff a full IDC, which typically runs over around 10–17 days in Khao Lak. If you are already experienced and only joining for the Staff upgrade module itself, this part alone is usually completed in around 3–4 days alongside an ongoing IDC. See upcoming IDC dates in Khao Lak, Thailand.
What are the prerequisites for joining the IDC Staff Instructor course? You should be a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT). You must have current teaching status and valid professional insurance. You must be at least 18 years old. You must be fit for diving and have a valid medical if needed. Strong teaching experience and a genuine interest in mentoring other instructors will help you get the most from the course.
Where does the IDC Staff Instructor training take place? Training takes place inKhao Lak, Thailand, in partnership with Go2Similan Diving. You'll work with real IDC candidates in both classroom and water sessions — using local dive sites and facilities suited for professional-level training and PADI Instructor Examinations.
Are PADI application fees and materials included in the price? Course tuition covers your Staff Instructor training, evaluations, and mentoring from Ed Bosworth. PADI application fees and required IDC or Staff Instructor materials cost extra. Your personal travel and accommodation costs are also separate. We will confirm the latest PADI fees and help you organise materials when you book.
Benefits of Training With Ed Bosworth
- Experienced IDC educator and technical instructor trainer
- Personalised coaching with a focus on long-term professional development
- Access to real IDC candidates for genuine evaluation and mentoring practice
- Supportive training environment in partnership with Go2Similan Diving
- Excellent preparation for future Master Instructor or Course Director pathways
Ready to Join the IDC Staff Instructor Course?
Take your career to the next level and become part of the professional training team in Khao Lak.
Contact Professional Diver Training today for course dates, availability and package options.