Established in 2002 with the help of a DEFRA grant, Whitby and District Fishing Industry Training School (WDFITS) held its 13th Annual General Meeting and Apprentice of the Year Award ceremony last month, reports David Linkie.
Above: Jake Sixsmith is joined by Margaret and Chris Traves after winning the ‘George Traves Award for Excellence’.
WDFITS is a non-profit making company, with all monies earned being used as working capital and reinvested into the school.
There was standing room only in the main presentation room at the Whitby Fishing School, and the guests acknowledged the important role undertaken by the company, both in Whitby and across the whole of the UK. A community-based initiative, the company aims to support the local economy by ensuring that all apprentices lodge in Whitby for the duration of their studies.
Giving his second Chairman’s report, having taken over from Arnold Locker in 2014, David McCandless began by thanking the guests for attending, including those who had travelled considerable distances, and reiterated how important their participation and support is to the continuing success of the Training School.
David McCandless said: “We would also like to welcome the accommodation providers, who play such an important and crucial role in the functioning of the school.
“The same can also be said for the skippers along the coast, both east and west, who continue to support the training and development of our young people.
“Further thanks must also be given to our sponsors, Sunderland Marine and to the Mission Trustees – without their support the longevity of the school would have been compromised.
“It has been another transition year for the school. While its roots remain anchored in the fishing industry, its training portfolio across the wider maritime sector continues to develop and expand, opening further opportunities not only for its pupils, but also the wider community.
“Since the school began in 2002, it has continued to grow and develop, supported by a dedicated and hardworking staff team and an effective board of directors. Without this combination the school would not be the success that it is. Over the years there have been many changes to the board and few of the ‘founding’ directors remain involved.
“One person, who needs no introduction, has been at the forefront of the school since day one. Without his original vision, continued hard work and dedication, this school, simply, would not exist. That person is Arnold Locker. Sadly Arnold has taken a decision to scale down his wider work commitments and has notified his intention to leave the board, having served as its chairman for over 11 years. In recognition of the massive contribution Arnold has made to the school, and on behalf of the board, staff and students, he will be presented with a suitable leaving gift as a mark of our collective appreciation and thanks at the earliest possible opportunity.
“Looking forward, the board has today been strengthened by two new members who will bring additional business and academic skills and experience to the governance of the school: Mr John Pownall a director of Redcar and Cleveland College and Mr Jeremy Wilcock, business engagement manager at the University of Hull.
“Changing government regulations, OFSTED requirements and funding pressures continue to bring new challenges to the school door, which, without exception, are always met ‘head on’. Despite such challenges, through the continued strong leadership of its chief executive, Anne Hornigold, supported by an effective board of directors and an extremely hard-working and dedicated staffing team, the school remains one of the highest-ranked approved training providers for the sea fishing industry authority, and long may that continue.”
David McCandless also thanked Whitby RNLI station for their continual excellent support to the school, and RNLI fishing safety co-ordinator Frankie Horne for his invaluable input in training the apprentices in their mandatory safety courses. Thanks were also given to Parkol Marine Engineering, in recognition for regularly giving trainees the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the fabrication and machinery fit-out of new fishing vessels.
David McCandless concluded by saying, “It has been a really fruitful year for Whitby Fishing School. The company goes through a lot of challenges year-on-year, but it really has flourished; there is a bright future in maritime training, especially in the fishing sector”.
A large audience attended Whitby Fishing School’s annual awards presentation.
Fishing Apprentice of the Year George Lamplough receives his award from Craig McBurnie of Sunderland Marine.
Chairman David McCandless thanks Parkol Marine Engineering Director Sally Atkinson for the support the Fishing School receives from the Whitby boatyard.
2015 awards ceremony
The 2015 awards ceremony started with local lad Jake Sixsmith being awarded the ‘George Travis Award for Excellence’. Since joining the apprenticeship scheme Jake has been learning his trade on the Whitby potting boat Crystal Sea, with skipper Tex Hansel.
Whitby Fishing School’s Development Manager, Gary Tregonning explained to the audience: “Jake had been written-off by his previous college but the Fishing School was determined to give him a chance to succeed. Jake progressed very well with his apprenticeship, showing commitment and dedication, to both his academic and practical training.”
The George Traves Award for Excellence was presented for the first time at the 2014 AGM, as a memorial to one of the school’s founding directors, George Traves MBE. George’s life was very much rooted in the fishing industry. As a young man, he learned his trade on the deep sea trawlers sailing from Hull, going on to own and skipper his own vessels from Bridlington, East Yorkshire.
Throughout his life, George Traves recognised the importance of nurturing and developing the next generation, and such principles energised and sustained his involvement in the school. In recognition of George’s principles and spirit, this award is made to the student who hasn’t necessarily achieved the top marks but has shown dedication, commitment, spirit and tenacity throughout the year.
George Lamplough, from the Isle of Wight, was awarded two awards the ‘Whitby Gazette ‘Arries – Ide’ Memorial Award’, presented by Emma Spencer, of the Whitby Gazette and the ‘Apprentice of the Year Award’ was presented to him by Craig McBurnie, of Sunderland Marine Insurance Company.
Andrew Allan won the Holderness Coast FLAG Award, while Nathan Crelling collected the North and West Cumbria FLAG Award.
Ross McLauchlan from Burnmouth won the Workboat of the Year Award.
Floral presentations were also made to the winners’ accommodation providers.
Read more from Fishing News here.
Established in 2002 with the help of a DEFRA grant, Whitby and District Fishing Industry Training School (WDFITS) held its 13th Annual General Meeting and Apprentice of the Year Award ceremony last month, reports David Linkie.
Above: Jake Sixsmith is joined by Margaret and Chris Traves after winning the ‘George Traves Award for Excellence’.
WDFITS is a non-profit making company, with all monies earned being used as working capital and reinvested into the school.
There was standing room only in the main presentation room at the Whitby Fishing School, and the guests acknowledged the important role undertaken by the company, both in Whitby and across the whole of the UK. A community-based initiative, the company aims to support the local economy by ensuring that all apprentices lodge in Whitby for the duration of their studies.
Giving his second Chairman’s report, having taken over from Arnold Locker in 2014, David McCandless began by thanking the guests for attending, including those who had travelled considerable distances, and reiterated how important their participation and support is to the continuing success of the Training School.
David McCandless said: “We would also like to welcome the accommodation providers, who play such an important and crucial role in the functioning of the school.
“The same can also be said for the skippers along the coast, both east and west, who continue to support the training and development of our young people.
“Further thanks must also be given to our sponsors, Sunderland Marine and to the Mission Trustees – without their support the longevity of the school would have been compromised.
“It has been another transition year for the school. While its roots remain anchored in the fishing industry, its training portfolio across the wider maritime sector continues to develop and expand, opening further opportunities not only for its pupils, but also the wider community.
“Since the school began in 2002, it has continued to grow and develop, supported by a dedicated and hardworking staff team and an effective board of directors. Without this combination the school would not be the success that it is. Over the years there have been many changes to the board and few of the ‘founding’ directors remain involved.
“One person, who needs no introduction, has been at the forefront of the school since day one. Without his original vision, continued hard work and dedication, this school, simply, would not exist. That person is Arnold Locker. Sadly Arnold has taken a decision to scale down his wider work commitments and has notified his intention to leave the board, having served as its chairman for over 11 years. In recognition of the massive contribution Arnold has made to the school, and on behalf of the board, staff and students, he will be presented with a suitable leaving gift as a mark of our collective appreciation and thanks at the earliest possible opportunity.
“Looking forward, the board has today been strengthened by two new members who will bring additional business and academic skills and experience to the governance of the school: Mr John Pownall a director of Redcar and Cleveland College and Mr Jeremy Wilcock, business engagement manager at the University of Hull.
“Changing government regulations, OFSTED requirements and funding pressures continue to bring new challenges to the school door, which, without exception, are always met ‘head on’. Despite such challenges, through the continued strong leadership of its chief executive, Anne Hornigold, supported by an effective board of directors and an extremely hard-working and dedicated staffing team, the school remains one of the highest-ranked approved training providers for the sea fishing industry authority, and long may that continue.”
David McCandless also thanked Whitby RNLI station for their continual excellent support to the school, and RNLI fishing safety co-ordinator Frankie Horne for his invaluable input in training the apprentices in their mandatory safety courses. Thanks were also given to Parkol Marine Engineering, in recognition for regularly giving trainees the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the fabrication and machinery fit-out of new fishing vessels.
David McCandless concluded by saying, “It has been a really fruitful year for Whitby Fishing School. The company goes through a lot of challenges year-on-year, but it really has flourished; there is a bright future in maritime training, especially in the fishing sector”.
A large audience attended Whitby Fishing School’s annual awards presentation.
Fishing Apprentice of the Year George Lamplough receives his award from Craig McBurnie of Sunderland Marine.
Chairman David McCandless thanks Parkol Marine Engineering Director Sally Atkinson for the support the Fishing School receives from the Whitby boatyard.
2015 awards ceremony
The 2015 awards ceremony started with local lad Jake Sixsmith being awarded the ‘George Travis Award for Excellence’. Since joining the apprenticeship scheme Jake has been learning his trade on the Whitby potting boat Crystal Sea, with skipper Tex Hansel.
Whitby Fishing School’s Development Manager, Gary Tregonning explained to the audience: “Jake had been written-off by his previous college but the Fishing School was determined to give him a chance to succeed. Jake progressed very well with his apprenticeship, showing commitment and dedication, to both his academic and practical training.”
The George Traves Award for Excellence was presented for the first time at the 2014 AGM, as a memorial to one of the school’s founding directors, George Traves MBE. George’s life was very much rooted in the fishing industry. As a young man, he learned his trade on the deep sea trawlers sailing from Hull, going on to own and skipper his own vessels from Bridlington, East Yorkshire.
Throughout his life, George Traves recognised the importance of nurturing and developing the next generation, and such principles energised and sustained his involvement in the school. In recognition of George’s principles and spirit, this award is made to the student who hasn’t necessarily achieved the top marks but has shown dedication, commitment, spirit and tenacity throughout the year.
George Lamplough, from the Isle of Wight, was awarded two awards the ‘Whitby Gazette ‘Arries – Ide’ Memorial Award’, presented by Emma Spencer, of the Whitby Gazette and the ‘Apprentice of the Year Award’ was presented to him by Craig McBurnie, of Sunderland Marine Insurance Company.
Andrew Allan won the Holderness Coast FLAG Award, while Nathan Crelling collected the North and West Cumbria FLAG Award.
Ross McLauchlan from Burnmouth won the Workboat of the Year Award.
Floral presentations were also made to the winners’ accommodation providers.
Read more from Fishing News here.
