Sea clearly ... and safely

THE largest registered training organisation delivering to Tasmania’s huge seafood industry, Hobart-based Seafood Training Tasmania (STT) recently celebrated its 30th birthday.

As the industry-preferred provider of seafood and maritime training across Tasmania, STT works collaboratively with the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council (TSIC), which is the peak body representing Tasmanian marine farmers, processors and wild-catch fishers.

Together they collect and collate workforce development information to help ensure the industries’ training needs are not only met, but tailored to the various sectors’ needs.

The STT and TSIC protocol for developing industry workforce development plans has led to the conception and implementation of the Seafood Training Pledge, which has just been renewed for the second time.

This effective and uniquely Tasmanian arrangement sees the Department of State Growth, through Skills Tasmania, agree to fund multiple qualifications identified by the industry as a priority for a three-year period.

“This significant pledge has greatly improved the capacity for STT to concentrate on delivering high training outcomes for the industry,’’ TSIC chief executive Julian Harrington said.

STT was established in 1986 as the Fishing Industry Training Board, to provide intelligence to all levels of government about the training needs of the various industry sectors.

STT’s scope has since expanded to 17 nationally recognised qualifications, with more than 700 students annually.

With a unique insight into the industry, it is estimated that STT has qualified more than 10,000 students over the past 30 years, from marine police and scientists to fish farm hands.

“STT offers qualifications from the Seafood Industry and Maritime Training Packages, ranging from Certificate I to diploma level, covering everything from aquaculture [finfish and shellfish], fishing [wild catch], seafood processing, and maritime operations,” STT chief executive Rory Byrne said.

STT’s record in delivering quality training has been formally recognised with a number of Australian Training Awards, including Australian Small Training Provider of the Year in 2014, as well as a number of Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council awards.

For more information phone 6286 0408 or email roryb@seafoodtrainingtas.com.au