About the Program

The IDP (Instructor Development Program) develops the leadership skills of young people. It is designed to boost a range of practical skills and self-esteem amongst the participants, enabling them to pass these skills on to their peers and their course participants.

Each child participates in the program over a four-year period, usually commencing in the year that a child turns 12.

The first two years of the program are the teaching phases, and the last two years allow the participants to act as mentors of the more junior instructors.

Selection Criteria

The following areas are taken into consideration in selecting participants for the program:

• Commitment
• Sailing skills
• Sport participation and recreational activities
• Communication skills
• General behavior
• Recommendation from teacher or another person who is not a parent or relation.

Uniforms 

Training Academy instructors are required to wear a uniform which consists of:

• DSC Training Academy instructor shirt (Provided by Training Academy)
• Black Leggings
• Closed toe Footwear (crocs or reef shoes)
• Hat

Fees

• $110 for Australian Sailing Assistant Instructor Course
• $7 for an Ochre Card (15yrs+)
• $163 for Coxswain Grade 3 NC

Time Commitment

Below is what we expect of all instructors, as instructors get older and more qualified expectations become higher giving them responsibility to perform higher duties. To move through the instructor levels training and courses must be completed, if you are unable to attend a course, you will be unable to get qualified.

The IDP concludes late September each year and recommences March of the following year.

• Instructor courses 1-2 days over a weekend in Term 1
• Online inductions are 1-2hrs and can be done in your own time at home.
• Additional training and skills sessions are usually 1-2hrs on an afternoon in Term 1 or Term 2.

Work shifts are usually 3-4 hours on a weeknight or weekend. We try to roster for entire programs for consistency. Courses vary in length from Term programs to 3wk programs. We run programs 7 days a week.

Work shifts are at Lake Alexander or Darwin Sailing Club. Training is run at Darwin Sailing Club.

Parents Commitment

• Ensure your child is punctual and wears the correct uniform.
• Collect your child on time or arrange appropriate alternative transportation.

Code of Conduct - Parents & Instructors

This is the same Code of Conduct that is used across the board in the DSC Training Academy.

VIEW CODE OF CONDUCT

Instructor Pathway

• Level 1 Assistant Instructor (volunteer)
• Level 2 Assistant Instructor (volunteer)
• Level 3 Assistant Instructor (paid)
• Level 4 Assistant Instructor (paid)
• Level 1 Instructor (paid)
• Level 2 Instructor (paid)

Qualifications

Training courses are offered at each stage throughout the program and as participants reach the next stage they are advised when the relevant training is being held or if it can be conducted online, they are provided with the registration information. The listed qualifications will be gained if all the courses on offer are completed successfully.

• Senior First Aid Certificate
• Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling Certificate
• AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal Certificate
• Australian Sailing Assistant Instructor
• Australian Sailing Dinghy Instructor
• Australian Sailing Tackers Instructor
• Australian Sailing OutThere Sailing Instructor
• Australian Sailing SUP Instructor
• Australian Sailing Wing Instructor
• Australian Sailing Foundation Coach

Training and Upskilling

Each year we run additional training beyond the official qualifications that they will receive. Most training is run annually to ensure the skills and knowledge of individuals remain up to date. At the end of each season instructors are asked to provide feedback and identify areas that they feel further education would be beneficial. Where possible this will also be included in the annual calendar.

• Australian Sailing Instructor Conference
• Instructor Induction
• Assistant Instructor Induction
• Tractor Induction
• Marine First Aid Training
• Autism Training

Team Building

Each year we schedule 2-3 team building days, these activities are a great way to get to know each other and build friendships. Everyone within the Training Academy is involved, some examples are listed below.

• Team Building Day
• Darwin Port Tour
• End of Season Break-up Party

Leadership Skills

Throughout the program instructors learn about the value of leadership. From the outset participants will be working as a leader (assistant instructor) teaching and mentoring younger more inexperienced sailors through learn to sail programs.

As instructors progress through the instructor pathway, they are tasked with on-the-job training of younger staff. Where possible most programs will have 3 levels of instructors so that peer to peer leadership and mentoring can occur, the older they get the more responsibility and leadership is required.

SACE Credits

There are currently two programs that can be used under the Community Learning Program.  Each program is valued at 10 credit points in Stage 1.

• OutThere Sailing 3
• Powerboat Handling + Dinghy Instructor

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Participants can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and almost everything you undertake in the IDP can contribute. Most NT schools run a DOE Program.  The Training Academy Manager can sign off participants throughout the program. 

Dukes 4 Sport is a great way to be part of something fun and gain accreditation at the same time. There are three streams (volunteering, skill acquisition and participation).

Career Possibilities

The IDP provides skills, training, and an introduction to careers in both the Sporting & Marine Industry. Many of the experiences gained from this program can be used as a pathway into employment within these industries. Participants that are keen to gain more in-depth knowledge through work experience or further training in other areas are encouraged to make this known to the Training Academy Manager. Some of our previous participants have gone onto careers in the Superyacht Industry, Sail Making, Rigging, Commercial Skippers on Tugs, Pilot Boats & Barges, Sailing Coaches and Sports Administration.