CD Professional Coaching Program
The CDPC matches you with a professional coach to help plan and build your civilian career. Whether you are considering transition or already out, coaching gives you direction and a clear path forward.
The CDPC is funded by the NCDT Transition & Resilience Fund, which supports prevention programs for serving and ex-serving Clearance Divers. It is separate from the NCDT Relief Fund, which provides immediate financial assistance.
What the program can do for you
Transitioning out of the RAN, and particularly out of the Clearance Diving branch, is a significant change. The skills, discipline, and identity built over years of service do not automatically translate into civilian life.
The CD Professional Coaching Program gives you a structured, personalised process to navigate that transition with professional support. You set the pace; the coach helps you find the direction.
Coaching may help you to
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Clarify your goals and what you want from civilian life
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Understand and articulate your transferable skills
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Build strong applications, résumés, and interview strategies
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Develop confidence and a personal plan for your next chapter
Coaching does not prescribe a single outcome. Some participants find the process confirms they want to remain in the RAN, and that is an equally valid result.
Who can take part
- Serving Clearance Divers, once transition is identified as likely
- Ex-serving Clearance Divers, at any stage of their civilian career
Need financial support right now? The CDPC focuses on career planning, not immediate financial relief. If you need urgent assistance, please visit our Request Support page. The NCDT Relief Fund provides immediate help to eligible Clearance Divers and their families.
What to expect from the program
The process is straightforward. Each step is designed to reduce uncertainty and give you a clear sense of what comes next, from your first email through to ongoing coaching.
Professional coaching aligned to ICF standards
All coaches in the CDPC are aligned to the standards of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the leading global body for professional coaching. ICF-aligned coaching is a structured, goal-focused process designed to support your own decision-making. It is not counselling, and it is not a generic transition workshop.
Coaching is:
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Tailored to your specific circumstances and goals
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Delivered one-on-one with an approved, matched coach
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Built around where you are, not a fixed curriculum
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Provided at no cost to participants
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Contact us
The Clearance Diver Mentoring Program
The Clearance Diver Mentoring Program connects transitioning CDs with those who have already navigated the journey. It complements the coaching program by offering a peer-to-peer model built on trust, camaraderie, and shared experience.
Where coaching focuses on structured career planning, mentoring provides practical guidance and ongoing moral support as you encounter civilian systems and processes.
What mentors offer
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First-hand experience of the CD-to-civilian transition
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Practical help navigating civilian systems and processes
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Ongoing moral support and community connection
Interested in becoming a mentor? Mentors are ex-serving Clearance Divers who want to give back to the community. Visit our Volunteer or Mentor page to find out more.
- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about eligibility, how coaching works, and what to expect from the program are answered below.
Is there a cost to join the program?
No. The CDPC is funded by the NCDT Transition & Resilience Fund, which is supported entirely by donors and sponsors. There is no cost to participants.
I left the Navy some years ago. Can I still apply?
Yes. Ex-serving Clearance Divers can access the program at any stage of their civilian career, not only immediately after separation.
Will the coaching push me toward leaving the Navy?
No. Coaching is guided by your own goals and priorities. Some participants decide through the process that they want to remain in the RAN, and that outcome is equally valid.
What is the ICF?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global body setting professional standards for coaching. ICF-aligned coaches follow a structured, ethical approach focused on supporting your own decision-making rather than directing it.
How is coaching different from mentoring?
Coaching is a one-on-one, structured professional process with a matched coach, focused on career planning and personal development. Mentoring through the Clearance Diver Mentoring Program is a peer-to-peer connection with an ex-serving CD who has been through transition, providing practical guidance and ongoing moral support.
I need financial help right now. Is this the right place?
The CDPC focuses on career planning, not immediate financial relief. If you need urgent financial assistance, please visit our Request Support page. The NCDT Relief Fund provides immediate help to eligible Clearance Divers and their families.
If you are in crisis right now, please reach out.
Open Arms: 1800 011 046 (24 hours, 7 days)
ADF All-Hours Support Line: 1800 628 036
DVA: 1800 838 372
I need financial support now. Is the scholarship right for me?
The scholarship funds education and training costs. If you are facing immediate financial hardship, the NCDT Relief Fund may be more appropriate. Visit the Request Support page for details. If you are struggling personally, please reach out to Open Arms on 1800 011 046 (free, 24/7).
