Skills, education and training needsin the Aquaculture Sector.

How can UHI respond?

Expansion of the Aquaculture Industry

As per the published report by Scotland Food and Drink in 2016

• Aquaculture industry contributes £1.8billion to the economy and supports over 8,800 jobs

• By 2030, the government wants to boost the aquaculture production to increase the contribution up to £3.6 billion and support 18,000 jobs

The challenges of expansion

Expansion requires:

• People

• Skills

• Infrastructure

• Technological advances

People and skills …

• Recruitment of people into the industry

• Developing a workforce with the required skills base

• Enhance provision of work based learning and vocational training

• Develop leadership and management capacity

• Consistency of training and education

• Research

Current provisionUHI Aquaculture Education and Training

Engaging with local schools

• National Progression Award (NPA) in Aquaculture provides opportunities for secondary school pupils to develop the necessary skills for a future career within the aquaculture industry.

• It is offered at SCQF level 4 & level 5.

• Outreach activities-career conventions and promoting aquaculture studies.

Computing

• Computing BSc (Hons)• Computer Science HND• Computing HNC

These courses have been designed to meet the growing needs of IT and computing related sectors, providing an up-to-date, recognised qualification within the context of an ever-changing employment market

Engineering Courses

Skills for work: Engineering skills. The course is offered as partnership between schools and NAFC Marine Centre

National Certificate (NC) in Engineering. This award covers a wide range of skills to meet the demand in various engineering sectors

BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng (Hons) Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering or BEng (Hons) Energy Engineering

Undergraduate: Degree in Marine Science

Masters: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in AquacultureEnvironment and Society

PhD: Multiple PhDs in the area of Aquaculture including Marie Curie Funded Initial Training Network

Graduate & Post Graduate Education in Aquaculture

Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture(SVQ level 2,3 & 4)

Modern Apprenticeship in Maritime Studies

Maritime Skills and Short Courses

Modern Apprenticeship in

Engineering

Work-based Training provision at UHI

Basic Safety Courses: Sea Survival, First Aid & Firefighting

Boat Handling (RYA Powerboat Level 2)

Certificates of Competency: Officer of the Watch and Masters

Maritime skills and short courses

Workboat Skipper’s Ticket

Vessel Stability

Radar & Electronic Navigation

Radio Operator’s Certificates

Fish Welfare

Fish Welfare Advanced

Introduction to Fish Health

Fish Health Advanced

Work based short courses short courses for Aquaculture industry

Fish Welfare refresher

Recirculation Systems Water Quality

Confined Spaces Safety Awareness

Introduction to Containment

Sea Lice Identification and Recording

Water Quality Awareness

Internal Auditor training

Pressure Washing Safety Awareness

Capstan Safety Awareness

Modern Apprenticeships in Aquaculture

Modern Apprenticeships provide practical ‘on-the-job’ training and skills development for persons entering or working in the aqua-culture industry, leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

MA programmes are funded by SDS.

Photo: Tarp treatment

Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture Level 2The Level 2 programme is set at entry level for new and less experienced aquaculture staff (SCQF Level 5 )

Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture Level 3The Level 3 (SCQF Level 7 ) programme is aimed at more experienced aquaculture staff such as senior husbandry staff to progress to supervisory and managerial role.

Delivered at NAFC Marine Centre and Inverness College

Modern Apprenticeships in Aquaculture

The first of its kind, developed and delivered at NAFC Marine Centre UHI in response industry demand.

The Level 4 programme (SCQF level 9) lasts for about 24 months.

Delivered as blended learning through UHI Blackboard e-learning.

Aimed at senior aquaculture staff (assistant site managers and site managers).

This allows them to gain a qualification in aquaculture management at higher level / equivalent to degree.

Aquaculture Management Level 4 (Technical Apprenticeship)

e-LearningNAFC Marine Centre UHI is offering a range of short courses as blended and online learning to remotely located fish farmers in Scotland.

We listen to the aquaculture industry and work with the aquaculture industry.

Current e-learning courses

• Fish Welfare • Fish farm containment.• Biosecurity.• Water Quality in RAS systems.

UHI Research themes in aquaculture • Health and Welfare • Sustainable Aquafeeds• Environment-aquaculture Interface • Stock Improvement and Management • Socio-economic linkages/analysis • Diversification of Aquaculture Practices

Aquaculture Industry Engagement Fund due to open September 2018