Teaming up to learn about aquaculture employer needs

Lantra staff recently accompanied Danny Logue from Skills Development Scotland on a tour visiting employers across Scotland to see first-hand the skills issues facing both employers and employees in the sector.

Willie Fergusson, Lantra’s Director for Scotland said: “Skills Development Scotland work with Lantra on many different levels, and are the main sponsor of Lantra’s Land-based Learner of the Year Awards. Danny presented this year’s awards on behalf of SDS. Through Danny’s involvement with this event he expressed an interest in learning more about the sector and the people working in it, so we arranged for Danny to meet with a range of employers across Scotland.” Lighthouse Caledonia is a leading global supplier of high quality Scottish salmon. Iain MacIntyre, Lighthouse Calendonia’s South Regional Manager showed Danny and Lantra staff around the fish farm where he explained the quality assurance practices, driven by the supermarket industry and emphasised the skills gaps and shortages within the industry. A visit to the Stronachullion site at Lochgilphead to observe the fish being fed helped the visitors see the technical competence and the range of skills of the operators who monitor the fish’s health and welfare. Iain MacIntyre said: “We are committed to developing our staff ensuring they have all the necessary skills required to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently. Fish farming has become increasingly technical so we must take a modern approach to staff training.” Danny Logue, Skills Development Scotland said: “This was an excellent opportunity to provide first-hand insight into the range and level of skills required across this sector. It also provided a huge amount of information regarding the range of careers and opportunities that are available. It is important that we provide our staff in Skills Development Scotland with this knowledge of the available careers. We will continue to support and work with Lantra in taking forward key areas of joint development”. ENDS ISSUED BY: Lantra Press Office – Paula Smyth, Tel: 028 79631304/ Email ni.media@lantra.co.uk CREDIT FOR PHOTOS: Ian McIntrye shows Danny Logue around the fish farm Operator monitors the fish EDITOR’S NOTES: • Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector, is licensed by the UK Government to drive forward the new skills, training and business development agenda for the sector. • Lantra represents 17 industries and 1.5 million workers and volunteers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk

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