The Seafood Training Academy''s collaboration with the ESTC Group is proving successful, with over 60 apprentices signing up within the first three months.
The Academy, which works with a range of training providers throughout the UK, has recognised the ESTC Group as a fish and shellfish apprenticeship provider to pilot fish and shellfish apprenticeship programmes at two levels.
Lee Cooper, of Seafish and the Seafood Training Academy, told World Fishing and Aquaculture: "We want to raise the standards of training delivery. Whilst we are keen to attract new people in to the industry, it is important that we are also able to provide those already working in the industry an opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge and we would encourage all businesses to consider the apprenticeships for existing staff too."
Level 2 (intermediate) and level 3 (advanced) are both suitable for processors, fishmongers and food service businesses, covering around 80,000 employees in the UK.
To date, many of the apprentices have been taken up by young people looking to further their careers opportunities within the industry.
In addition, a number of fishing businesses including processors and fryers have enrolled staff onto the courses to help the business progress and improve their services.
Mr Cooper added: "The industry benefits from having well trained and knowledgeable people who can provide customers with excellent service from wholesalers and processors to the consumer. Integrity is important to the seafood industry and it is important to maintain high standards of training to ensure confidence in the product."
One such company is the Pride of Bridlington, a fish and chip shop, which has employed a young apprentice and enrolled several of its existing employees on the training courses.
The company says this has boosted its skill set and allowed it to achieve its goal of providing restaurant quality food at takeaway prices.
For more information visit www.seafoodacademy.org
