WILLEMSTAD — Three young people in Curaçao will soon have the chance to dive into a promising career in the diving industry, thanks to a new scholarship program launched by local dive organization Dive Division.
The program will provide three full scholarships, covering the entire training path from Open Water Diver to Dive Master, under the guidance of certified PADI instructors. Valued at over $4,000 USD per participant, the training is offered completely free of charge to the selected candidates.
Dive Division, which operates five dive schools on the island, trains hundreds of recreational and professional divers each year. With this new scholarship initiative, the organization aims to support local youth who are passionate about diving but face financial barriers.
“With this scholarship, we want to introduce local young people to the underwater world and give them a real professional opportunity,” said Mick Bosman, PADI Course Director and Director of Dive Division. “There is a growing need for well-trained dive professionals, and we have the ability to train them right here on the island. This program reflects what Dive Division stands for: connecting people to the ocean through quality, education, innovation, and community-building.”
The training will be led by Bosman himself along with PADI Instructor Coltrane Nadler. In addition to comprehensive technical dive training, the program will emphasize responsibility, teamwork, and sustainability within the diving sector.
A selection day will be held on Saturday, June 21 at 9:00 AM at Blue Bay Beach, where participants will be tested on their water skills, motivation, and ability to collaborate. The day will also include introductory dives and group activities, giving participants a firsthand look at what the training involves. By the end of the day, three candidates will be selected to embark on the professional dive training program.
This initiative marks a unique opportunity for Curaçaoan youth to gain valuable qualifications and enter the growing marine tourism and diving industry, both locally and internationally.
