New Trailblazer Apprenticeship

A Sea Fishing Apprenticeship has been delivered successfully in Whitby for many years. It has proved immensely popular and is considered the flagship qualification for aspiring young fishermen and competition for places is tough.

The Richard Review in 2013 called for improvements in Apprenticeships to better reflect the needs of employers and as a result all Apprenticeships have to be re-written as Trailblazers by 2017.

This gives Seafish the opportunity to secure the ongoing availability of an Apprenticeship for commercial fishermen. In taking forward this new development Seafish will work with fishing vessel owners, skippers and organisations including the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, all of whom are committed to keeping the Apprenticeship route open for new entrants to the fishing industry.

Apprenticeships provide a route into commercial fishing for aspiring young men and women. They combine classroom training with on-the-job learning, giving trainees valuable experience and a nationally recognised qualification.

The training covers all the duties expected of a deckhand including preparing the deck, including the use, storage and maintenance of fishing gear, engine room support, handling and stowing the catch, and keeping watch. Successful trainees must be physically fit, have good eyesight, and be able to communicate well with others.

Simon Potten, Head of Safety Training and Services at Seafish said, “Commercial fishing is a challenging occupation. An Apprenticeship provides the best possible route into the fishing industry for new entrants as it combines comprehensive training with work experience. Over a twelve month period it produces competent deckhands with transferable maritime skills. Many Apprentices go on to develop long and successful careers in the fishing industry.”