Monday, 16 June 2008

SKILLSEEKERS LAUNCH A NEW CAREER

Last week, two new entrants to the fish catching Skillseekers’ programme, delivered by the NAFC Marine Centre and Train Shetland, undertook basic training including sea survival which involved the rescue helicopter ‘Oscar Charlie’.  The new recruits will now spend time on board two of Shetland’s new fishing boats, the ‘Copious’ and the ‘Prolific’.

 

The one year programme provides quality training opportunities to give young people the right start in their chosen career.  After the initial week’s training, which qualifies them as legal to go to sea, the participants take up placements on board local vessels before returning to the NAFC Marine Centre later in the year for further training including net mending and basic navigation.

 

The two candidates, Daniel Clark and Mark Kearney, explained why they were attracted to the programme and why they thought it was good route to take to becoming a fisherman.

 

Mark Kearney said: “I appreciate the fact that this is a structured course of learning which leads to a qualification, and it is paid for by the programme funders.  I particularly enjoyed the fire fighting and sea survival aspects of the course, which were definitely the highlights of the week for me. 

 

“I’m now very much looking forward to spending time on a fishing boat with the crew and learning about the different aspects of the job.  I would definitely encourage others to apply to the programme – it is a very worthwhile learning experience and the qualification will set me in good stead for the future.”

 

Daniel Clark added: “I, too, really enjoyed the sea survival and fire fighting – especially when we went on board the Antarctic for the search and rescue aspects of the training.  I’m ready to gain some real on-the-job experience now and, whether or not I actually become a fisherman or work in another job at sea, this qualification and the short certificate courses will be extremely useful for my future.”

 

Training co-ordinator at the NAFC Marine Centre, Caroline Hepburn, said: “It is always heartening to see young people seeking a career in the local fishing industry.  I hope that this first week spent gaining the certificates they require to launch their career will be the beginning of a long association with the NAFC and that they will return through time to study for their Skipper’s tickets.”

 

Further information from:

Caroline Hepburn, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772216, email or visit www.nafc.ac.uk
Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465 or email