Funding for new training courses in seafood sector
The courses will cover topics such as higher-level data skills, fish health and gill health.
Defra’s UK Seafood Fund has awarded almost £39k in funding to researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to create new seafood skills training courses.
The courses, to be developed and piloted in partnership with Scottish Sea Farms, will provide training for veterinary professionals as well as seafood technicians and SRUC students.
It is hoped the training will enhance the knowledge and skills of veterinary professionals interested in diversifying into the sector as well as those already working in the industry.
Topics covered in the CPD courses will include higher-level data skills, gill health and fish health.
To ensure that workers in remote coastal locations are able to access the courses, the SRUC’s virtual learning environment will be used to make the training as accessible as possible.
Dr Mary Thomson, vice-principal skills and lifelong learning at SRUC, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to support the sector with upskilling which can improve business productivity. It will expand SRUC's existing CPD provision, and learners will benefit from improved understanding of the sector and career pathways available.”
Ronnie Soutar, head of veterinary services at Scottish Sea Farms, said: “The health of our fish, and the development of the people who care for them, are central to everything we do at Scottish Sea Farms, and this new collaboration with SRUC will support both – namely, by providing current and emerging generations with opportunities to gain practical experience and, in turn, grow their skills and understanding of the sector.”
The UK Seafood Fund was set up in 2021 to deliver £100 million in funding to support the long-term future and sustainability of the fisheries and seafood sector in the UK.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
