New funds confirmed for seafood sector training
5th January 2022
Seafood Scotland confirmed at the end of December that it had been awarded £100,000 from the National Transition Training Fund and Skills Development Scotland to support onshore activities of seafood businesses across the country, training and upskilling employees to support company growth.
Companies will have access to over 60 courses covering four key training areas: upskilling staff; developing recruitment and retention policies; looking at the cost benefits of automating production; and supporting wider networking of women within the industry at all levels, including mentoring and specific training.
The programme will be delivered to current staff members over the age of 25, using flexible and hybrid methods, such as self-taught online modules and guided virtual sessions. Courses range from fish frying, knife skills and monger training to customer and human resource services, as well as guidance on business planning and strategy.
The National Transition Training Fund was launched in 2020 by Skills Development Scotland as a response to the rise in unemployment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme aims to give individuals the opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications.
Donna Fordyce, chief executive at Seafood Scotland, said: “It’s important that the businesses in our onshore seafood sector continue to grow, and this funding can help them do just that. With the support received from the National Transition Training Fund and Skills Development Scotland, we will help companies plan their training opportunities and the courses available to them in line with their business objectives.
“The window for this funding is open until March, and I would strongly encourage any onshore seafood businesses to take this great opportunity to upskill and train staff without the burden of additional costs.”
Gerry McBride, strategic relations manager for food and drink at Skills Development Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to see this valuable work given the green light and to now be able to see the positive impact it will have on seafood businesses across Scotland.
“Given all the challenges the sector has been forced to face over the past two years due to the pandemic and other huge obstacles, everyone recognises the need for businesses to be as agile as possible.”
Further information is available on the Seafood Scotland website or by contacting: enquiries@seafoodscotland.org. Firms or individuals interested in the support can also register for the Seafood Business Improvement Programme through the website.
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.
