Job Overview Divers and diving technicians work underwater. They perform a variety of underwater jobs be it in an ocean or in a fresh water body of water. To be able to accomplish their tasks, they use a specialized equipment an underwater breathing aid such as the SCUBA. To name a few, their tasks include oil well piping, underwater construction of structures, ship repair and cleaning. The diving technicians more specifically, they may serve sa support workers or as "tenders" providing assistance to the divers. As tenders, they acts as intermediaries between the administrative, engineering and scientific staff and the other skilled workers.It is expected that they know the may aspects of diving as we all as able to perform the skills necessary underwater. There are also divers who work as recreation specialists. They tech diving classes and supervise activities for cruise ships and for resorts.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
The minimum requirement for a diver to be able to practice as a professional is a possession of a certificate of completion of an organized diving program, usually 2 years in length. Before one can enter the program, a high school diploma is required. As for the diving technicians, as specialized engineering technicians, they should obtain a post secondary program in marinedivign technilogy so as to hone the skills expected to a commerical diver and be able to understand the marine environment well.
Skills and Abilities
The work related to the job is usually dangerous, dirty and exhausting. It is a must that a diver or a diving technician has enough patience to accomplish every task of this nature everyday. The skills in diving is the most basic ones to learn to begin a career in this field. Other mechanical and manipulative skills are needed and are dependent on the type of underwater jobs that they specialize with. Those who are involved in building structures underwater should be adept in using construction materials and tools such as varieties of cutting and welding tools underwater.
Duties
Divers and diving technicians often work for commercial diving contractors. The focus of their job is to accomplish tasks underwater although their work is not only confined under but also within the surface.
Those who work underwater have tasks such as doing underwater construction and repair, structure maintenance and cleaning esp. of the ships and underwater buildings, and doing ocular inspection of the marine flora, fauna and the whole environment. Those who work on the surface either work as experts in the life support system for the divers and workers who manage underwater equipment. Most of the diving technicians assist the divers by providing emergency support and facilitating communication between the engineers and administrative staff and the divers themselves.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The earnings of a diver and a diving technician depend on the factors such as the nature of the industry where diving is used, the location and the employer as well as the diver or the technician's skills and experience. Starting divers and technicians can earn around 20,000-24,000 U.S. dollars per annum while those who have proven expertise in the field can earn around 40,000 to 70,000 U.S. dollars yearly. The job outlook is also predicted to be good and that employment is moving faser than the average for the other professions.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.