diveshack runs the SSI ITC as one of Malta's only SSI Diamond Instructor Training Centres. The ITC certifies you as an SSI Open Water Instructor — the credential required to teach SSI diving courses independently. We offer a weekend format designed around working professionals.
diveshack runs the ITC in a 6-weekend format — designed for candidates who cannot take two consecutive weeks off work. The same SSI curriculum, structured around Friday evenings and full weekend days.
For ITC dates beyond the current intake, message us on WhatsApp. We plan approximately 2 intakes per year depending on candidate numbers.
Entry to the SSI ITC requires the following. All prerequisites must be verified before the course start date.
SSI Divemaster certification is required. Agency equivalents (PADI Divemaster, BSAC Dive Leader, CMAS 3-Star, etc.) are accepted after verification. diveshack will confirm equivalency during the enrolment process.
A minimum of 100 logged dives across open water environments. Dives must include a range of conditions and depths. The logbook is reviewed as part of the enrolment process.
Valid Rescue Diver certification from SSI or equivalent agency. If your Rescue Diver cert is more than 3 years old, a refresher may be required before the ITC. Confirm with diveshack during enrolment.
Current First Aid and CPR certification, dated within the past two years. diveshack can arrange an SSI First Aid refresher prior to ITC start if needed. Contact us to confirm your existing cert validity.
Medical clearance from a physician confirming fitness to dive and to teach diving. The relevant SSI medical disclosure form must be completed and signed. This is required before any in-water sessions.
Candidates must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the course start date. Proof of age is required at enrolment. There is no maximum age limit for SSI ITC candidates.
Not yet at Divemaster level? See the SSI Divemaster course page. The Divemaster course is the required step before the ITC and can be completed at diveshack in preparation for a future ITC intake.
The ITC prepares candidates to deliver SSI courses independently. The programme covers academic instruction, confined water skills teaching, open water skills teaching, specialty instructor ratings, and Instructor Evaluation preparation.
The SSI approach to student learning, comfort zone management, and how to adapt teaching style to individual students. Covers the SSI Total Diver concept and how it integrates with all SSI courses.
Skill-by-skill demonstration, error identification, and correction techniques for confined water environments. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate skills clearly, recognise student errors, and apply appropriate corrections.
Open water dive leadership, in-water student management, rescue scenarios in teaching contexts, and dive site assessment. Candidates complete structured open water sessions with feedback from the ITC Director.
The weekend ITC package includes 5 Specialty Instructor ratings. These allow you to teach SSI specialty courses — such as Enriched Air Nitrox, Perfect Buoyancy, and Diver Stress and Rescue — independently upon certification. Additional specialties can be added at enrolment.
The ITC concludes with preparation for the SSI Instructor Evaluation, which is conducted by an independent SSI Instructor Evaluator — not by diveshack. The IE assesses candidates on all components of the ITC curriculum in a standardised format.
SSI authorises ITC delivery only at Diamond-rated centres. diveshack holds TC #735644. The vast majority of SSI dive centres are not ITC-rated and cannot certify new instructors. We can.
The traditional ITC requires two consecutive weeks off work. Our 6-weekend format covers the same curriculum across Friday evenings and full weekends. Designed specifically for candidates who cannot take that time off work.
Malta's 20m+ visibility, year-round diving, and range of dive sites from 5m to 130m give ITC candidates a diverse training environment for confined and open water sessions. The island is also an active tourism destination, exposing new instructors to real student scenarios during training.
The SSI ITC (Instructor Training Course) certifies candidates as SSI Open Water Instructors. It covers teaching philosophy, confined water skills, open water instruction, specialty ratings, and prepares candidates for the independent SSI Instructor Evaluation.
SSI Divemaster or equivalent, 100 logged dives, Rescue Diver cert, First Aid and CPR within 2 years, medical clearance, minimum age 18. Agency equivalents are accepted after verification.
diveshack offers the SSI ITC in a weekend format — 6 weekends over approximately 8 weeks. The same SSI curriculum as a full ITC, structured around Friday evenings and Saturday/Sunday sessions. Designed for candidates who cannot take two consecutive weeks off work.
SSI Diamond is the highest centre rating from Scuba Schools International. Diamond centres are the only centres authorised to run ITCs and certify new SSI instructors. diveshack has held SSI Diamond status since 2019 as TC #735644.
The ITC is available at three price points: Course Only from EUR 1,550; Course plus 5 Specialty Instructor Ratings from EUR 2,250; ITC plus Instructor Evaluation from EUR 2,100. The Instructor Evaluation is conducted independently by an SSI Instructor Evaluator. Contact diveshack for current availability.
After completing the ITC, candidates sit the SSI Instructor Evaluation conducted by an independent SSI Instructor Evaluator. Candidates who pass the IE are registered as SSI Open Water Instructors and can begin teaching SSI courses at any SSI dive centre worldwide.
Message us on WhatsApp to ask about prerequisites, current intake dates, or the weekend format. We'll confirm your eligibility and send you the full candidate pack.
20 Qui Si Sana Seafront, Sliema · +356 9999 3483 · info@divemalta.com
SSI ITC at diveshack includes
Not yet at Divemaster level? Start with the SSI Divemaster course. It is the required professional pathway step before the ITC.