Shetland Fisheries Training Association

The Shetland Fisheries Training Association (SFTA) was established in 1989 to meet the training needs of the fish catching, farming and processing industries in Shetland as well as to act as a Group Training Association within the Seafish Industry Authority's (SFIA) UK training network.

The SFTA was a managing agent for the Government's Skillseeker and Modern Apprenticeship training programmes for the fisheries sector, but this function has now been handed over to Train Shetland.

The Association was incorporated in 1998 since when it has operated as a Company Limited by Guarantee with the Board now comprising of Trustees of the NAFC Marine Centre. In April 2004 SFTA was incorporated under the umbrella of the Shetland Fisheries Training Centre Trust and permanently located within the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway. The Training Co-ordinator, also acts as Liaison Officer for NAFC whilst continuing to provide advice to the fisheries industry on a range of training services and grant assistance.

Since 1998 the company has successfully managed several ESF-funded training projects. The current principal project is Small Atlantic Ports, funded by the European Commission's Interreg III B "Atlantic Area" initiative. Other project partners are; Spain, Portugal, France and South West Ireland. The project aims to promote the image of these small seaports and sea villages along the Atlantic Coast, of which are seeking diversification due to the down turn in the fisheries industries.