A new aquaculture-specific training course has launched, aimed at equipping first-time managers with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective team leaders. 

The concept for the course, titled ‘Managing and Leading the Team’, was first developed at an industry workshop initiated by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC).

“Ensuring that industry has ready access to the skills and knowledge it needs to grow is a key part of our work,” explains Heather Jones, CEO at SAIC. “By bringing together Scotland’s leading producers, we were able to identify the specific training requirements of first-time managers and how best to meet these needs.”

Following a competitive selection process, Fife College was chosen to deliver the course, and is working closely alongside SAIC and Scottish Sea Farms to help shape its content.

“Highly trained, motivated and skilled staff is integral not just to our continued success but that of the whole industry, so we were keen to be involved at an early stage to help create a course of relevance and benefit to all producers,” stated Tracy Bryant-Shaw, HR Manager at Scottish Sea Farms.

Once employees have completed the course, they will be given a period to apply their new skills and knowledge in their own workplace, before being invited back for a follow-up session to address any arising issues or questions.

 “This is an industry-led, sector-specific course designed with the everyday needs and challenges of first-time managers in mind,” explained Cori Critchlow-Watton, Aquaculture Innovation Manager and skills ambassador at SAIC. “Shaped by Scotland’s finfish producers, it could easily be adapted for the country’s shellfish producers, and we would urge as many companies as possible to get involved.”

For more details on the course contact LewisGale@fife.ac.uk