PRO PATHWAY · SSI ITC

SSI Full ITC
(AI + OWI)

Name: SSI Full ITC (AI + OWI)
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (517 reviews)

The combined SSI Assistant Instructor and Open Water Instructor Training Course at diveshack Malta. Train over 12 days in Mediterranean conditions on wrecks and reefs used daily for student dives. Leave with both your AI and OWI certifications. Specialty instructor ratings available separately.

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Certified by SSI

Course Fee From

^€1,150+^€500SSI eLearning

Total all-inclusive: €1,650

✓SSI eLearning licence (€500)

✓Combined AI + OWI training (€1,150)

✓All ITC exams and knowledge reviews

✓ITC certification and SSI registration fees

✓Enriched Air Nitrox and Dive Guide teaching authorisation

✓Use of diveshack training facilities

Reserve My Place

Instructor Evaluation (IE): The 2-day IE is a separate fee of €500 + VAT, payable directly to SSI and run by an SSI Regional Evaluator.

Already have SSI eLearning? Ask us about course-only pricing

Course Overview

From divemaster to working instructor

The SSI Full ITC combines the Assistant Instructor (AI) and Open Water Instructor (OWI) programmes into a single 12-day course. This is the most common pathway for Divemasters looking to qualify as a working instructor. The ITC is followed by a 2-day Instructor Evaluation (IE) conducted by an SSI Regional Evaluator.

During the ITC you study the SSI teaching system, practise academic and confined water presentations, and run supervised open water sessions on Malta's active dive sites. The IE tests your ability to teach independently across all three environments: classroom, confined water, and ocean.

Earn both SSI Assistant Instructor and Open Water Instructor certifications
Lead academic sessions from the SSI Teaching System
Teach confined water skills to Open Water student standard
Plan and conduct open water dives to 18m with student divers
Manage diver stress situations and conduct rescue procedures
Evaluate student performance against SSI standards
Issue SSI digital certifications through the SSI platform
Teach Enriched Air Nitrox and Dive Guide as base authorisations

The ITC fee (€1,150) covers all diveshack-run training. SSI eLearning (€500) is mandatory and purchased through your SSI account. The IE fee (€500 + VAT) is paid separately to SSI and covers the 2-day evaluation run by an SSI Regional Evaluator.

Course Structure

Five modules across 12 days

The Full ITC is structured around the five SSI instructor competency areas. Each module builds toward the IE, where you present, demonstrate, and evaluate in all three teaching environments.

Module 01

SSI Teaching System and Standards

Understand how SSI structures its teaching materials, programmes, and quality management. The foundation for every session you will run as a working instructor.

SSI programme and materials overview
Student training records and certification procedures
SSI quality management and instructor responsibilities
Standards for student-to-instructor ratios
Legal and professional liability principles

Theory · Days 1-2

Module 02

Academic Teaching Techniques

Learn to plan and deliver effective classroom sessions. You will present SSI modules, facilitate discussions, and handle student questions using the SSI academic format.

Lesson planning using SSI academic presentation guides
Use of SSI digital and printed training materials
Questioning techniques and knowledge review facilitation
Presenting dive theory: physics, physiology, environment
Evaluating student academic performance

Theory · Presentations · Days 2-4

Module 03

Confined Water Training

Plan, brief, demonstrate, and debrief confined water sessions to Open Water standard. You will present skills to student-instructor performance criteria, not diver performance criteria.

Confined water session planning and set-up
Skill demonstrations: regulator and mask skills, buoyancy
Out-of-air and emergency ascent presentations
Student positioning, observation, and error correction
Debriefing techniques for confined water sessions

Pool / Sheltered water · Days 5-7

Module 04

Open Water Training

Lead diver training dives in real Mediterranean conditions. Malta's sites give you multiple entry types, varied depth profiles, and boat diving to work with from the start.

Open water dive planning and site assessment
Pre-dive briefings: format, content, safety information
In-water supervision and skill evaluation at depth
Emergency procedures and diver management underwater
Post-dive debrief and logbook sign-off procedures

Ocean dives · Days 8-10

Module 05

Professional Development

Covers the business, professional, and continuing education side of working as an SSI instructor. Includes marketing your courses, building a student base, and understanding your pathway to higher instructor ratings.

SSI Instructor app: managing students and certifications
Running your own SSI courses as an independent instructor
Specialty instructor programmes: how to add ratings
Risk management and incident reporting procedures
Career progression: Assistant Instructor Trainer and beyond
Enriched Air Nitrox and Dive Guide: base teaching authorisations

Professional practice · Days 11-12 and ongoing

Teaching Authorisation

The courses you can run from day one

On completing your Full ITC and IE you are authorised by SSI to independently conduct and certify students in the following programmes. Specialty instructor ratings are available separately.

Try Scuba and Scuba Diver

Introductory programmes run in confined water and limited open water. High volume, beginner-facing. Core commercial revenue for resort dive centres.

Supervised OW · up to 12m

Open Water Diver

The SSI flagship entry-level certification. Academic sessions, confined water, and four open water dives to 18m. Full certification with digital card on completion.

Certified OW · 18m max

Advanced Open Water Diver

SSI's advanced-level recreational course. Deep Diving and Navigation are core dives, plus three further specialty dives to 30m.

Certified OW · 30m max

Diver Stress and Rescue

Teaches divers to recognise, manage, and respond to stress and accidents in the water. Includes surface and submerged rescue scenarios. Required for Divemaster entry.

Certified AOW · Rescue skills

Enriched Air Nitrox

Teach divers to plan and execute dives using enriched air nitrox up to 40% O2. One of the most popular continuing education courses worldwide.

EANx · up to 40% O2

Dive Guide

Lead certified divers on guided underwater tours. Plan dive briefings, manage groups, and supervise divers across a range of environments and conditions.

Guided dives · Certified divers

Specialty Instructor Ratings

Available as separate add-ons to your OWI. Each rating allows you to teach and certify students in that specialty. Common choices for Malta instructors: Deep Diver, Night and Limited Visibility, Wreck Diver, Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation.

Available separately

Popular specialty instructor ratings (available separately):

Enriched Air Nitrox Deep Diver Night and Limited Visibility Wreck Diver Perfect Buoyancy Navigation Diver Search and Recovery Underwater Photography

Training Environment

Why Malta produces better instructors

Diving off Malta showing clear visibility and wreck structure

40m

Avg visibility

300+

Dive days/yr

15+

Training sites

Malta puts ITC candidates in real teaching conditions from the start. The sites used for instructor training are the same sites used for student and fun dives year-round. You brief real scenarios on real structures, not training pools.

Multiple entry types in one location. Cirkewwa gives you shore entry, boat entry, and two wreck options within a 5-minute boat ride. Your confined water scenarios sit alongside real open water training dives.
Wrecks at teaching depths. HMS Maori sits at 12-16m in Valletta Grand Harbour. The X127 lighter is 5-22m at Manoel Island. Both are within Open Water certification depth limits and work perfectly for student navigation and wreck orientation sessions.
Year-round water temperature. 15-17°C in winter, 26-28°C in summer. No seasonal shutdown. Candidates can complete an ITC in any month without adapting to extreme cold water conditions unfamiliar to most European students.
SSI Training Centre status. diveshack holds SSI Training Centre authorisation, giving candidates access to the full SSI programme library, current teaching materials, and direct support from SSI Regional staff during the IE process.

Requirements

What you need before the Full ITC

Prerequisites apply at two points: ITC entry and IE participation. The dive log requirements are different for each, so plan your dive activity accordingly if you are close to the minimum thresholds.

RequiredSSI Divemaster certification or recognised equivalent from another agency
RequiredMinimum age 18 at the time of the ITC start date
RequiredSSI Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certification (or equivalent)
RequiredValid medical certificate issued within the past 12 months
RequiredMinimum 75 logged dives totalling 50 hours to begin the ITC
RequiredMinimum 6 months of certified diving experience
IE onlyMinimum 100 logged dives totalling 65 hours to sit the 2-day Instructor Evaluation
NoteCandidates from other training agencies must demonstrate equivalent knowledge; additional bridging may be required

Not yet at Divemaster level?

The SSI Divemaster programme at diveshack typically takes 5-7 days for candidates who hold Advanced Open Water and Diver Stress and Rescue certifications with 40+ logged dives. Diver Stress and Rescue is a prerequisite for the Divemaster course. Contact us to plan your full pathway from current level to OWI.

Prerequisites checklist

CheckDivemaster cert card (digital or physical)
CheckDive log with 60+ dives and 40+ hours
CheckMedical certificate (within 12 months)
CheckNitrox 40 cert card
PlanBuild log to 100 dives before IE date

Already hold SSI Assistant Instructor?

If you already hold an SSI AI certification, you may only need the standalone SSI Open Water Instructor course instead of the combined Full ITC. Contact us to discuss which pathway suits your situation.

2026 Course Dates

Upcoming ITC start dates

Each Full ITC runs for 12 consecutive days. Each ITC is scheduled so that the Instructor Evaluation follows immediately, running 2-3 days after the ITC concludes. Dates are limited to small groups.

Next available

17 May 2026

12-day Full ITC / Concludes 28 May

IE: June/July 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)

September 2026

6 September 2026

12-day Full ITC / Concludes 17 September

IE: October 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)

October 2026

3 October 2026

12-day Full ITC / Concludes 14 October

IE: November 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)

November 2026

1 November 2026

12-day Full ITC / Concludes 12 November

IE: December 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)

Custom

Request a Date

Flexible scheduling for groups of 2+

All ITC dates are subject to minimum group size of 2 candidates. If your preferred date is full or does not suit your schedule, contact diveshack to discuss a custom ITC start date outside of the published schedule.

Fees

Course fees and what they cover

Full ITC

Combined AI + OWI

^€1,150+^€500SSI eLearning

Total all-inclusive: €1,650

✓Full 12-day ITC with diveshack instructors
✓Combined AI + OWI training and certification
✓SSI eLearning licence and training materials
✓All ITC exams and knowledge reviews
✓SSI registration and certification fees
✓Use of training facilities, pool, and boat
✓OWD, AOW, EANx, DSR, and Dive Guide teaching auth
–Specialty instructor ratings (available separately)
–IE fee (€500 + VAT, payable to SSI)

Reserve My Place

Group / Centre Discount

Contact

Two or more candidates booking together

✓Discounted rate for groups of 2 or more
✓Custom ITC dates outside published schedule
✓Option to add Divemaster as a combined pathway
✓Tailored specialty mix for your teaching context
✓Priority booking for future IE dates
–Group rates confirmed on enquiry

Get Group Rate

The IE fee (€500 + VAT) is paid directly to SSI. Each ITC date is set in coordination with SSI Regional so that the IE runs 2-3 days after ITC completion. diveshack coordinates IE timing on your behalf. Specialty e-learning kits are purchased directly through your SSI account.

Certification Standard

SSI: one of the largest dive training agencies globally

FAQ

Common questions

What is the difference between the Full ITC and the standalone OWI? ▼

The Full ITC is the combined Assistant Instructor (AI) and Open Water Instructor (OWI) programme. It covers both certifications in a single 12-day course. The standalone OWI is for candidates who already hold an SSI Assistant Instructor certification and only need the OWI component to complete their instructor qualification.

Can I take the Full ITC with a PADI or BSAC Divemaster? ▼

Yes. SSI accepts Divemaster or equivalent professional certifications from other recognised agencies. Depending on your agency background, additional standards bridging may be required before you sit the IE. diveshack will assess your current certifications and advise on any additional preparation needed.

Is the Instructor Evaluation included in the price? ▼

No. The IE is a separate fee of €500 + VAT, payable directly to SSI. The IE is a 2-3 day evaluation run by an independent SSI Regional Evaluator, scheduled to follow immediately after ITC completion. diveshack coordinates IE timing on your behalf.

Do I need to book the ITC and IE at the same time? ▼

No. You book and pay for the ITC with diveshack. The IE is coordinated with SSI Regional in advance and runs 2-3 days after your ITC concludes. diveshack liaises with SSI Regional on your behalf to confirm the IE date when your ITC is booked.

Which specialty instructor ratings should I add? ▼

Specialty instructor ratings are available separately and can be added at any time after qualifying. The most commercially useful specialties for Malta-based instructors are Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep Diver, Night and Limited Visibility, Wreck Diver, and Perfect Buoyancy. This combination covers the courses most frequently requested by visiting divers and fits Malta's dive profile well. diveshack will advise based on your career plans.

Can I work at diveshack after qualifying? ▼

diveshack actively supports instructors trained through our centre. Seasonal positions are available subject to operational demand, and we maintain a network of contacts at dive centres across Malta and Gozo. Many of our ITC graduates have gone on to work full seasons at Malta-based centres. Contact us during or after your ITC to discuss availability.

Enrol

SSI Full ITC
(AI + OWI)

Locationdiveshack, Sliema, Malta

Duration12 days

Group SizeMax 5 per instructor

Price from€1,150 course + €500 eLearning

Deposit50% to book your place

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