Networking to develop the future of aquaculture
Scotland has an ambition to grow aquaculture production to 350,000 tonnes for marine finfish and 21,000 tonnes for shellfish by 2030.
The industry continues to evolve rapidly and Scotland has the natural resources, knowledge and capabilities to increase benefits significantly from aquaculture production growth to 2030 and beyond. (SAIC, HIE, Scottish aquaculture: a view towards 2030, Feb 2017)
To realise this ambition a number of key sector organisations based within Lochaber, namely global fish-farming production company, Mowi, and manufacturer of fish farm equipment, Norfab Equipment Ltd, are leading the way in both processes and ensuring that the future foundations of the industry is being actioned now, using Lochaber as a platform of acceleration for the local and national economy.
Chris Jones, Director of Norfab Equipment Ltd, recently took an enquiry for one of its fish by-product machines from a fish farming and wild catch processing company in Costa Rica. This client is in a similar position to salmon farmers in Scotland, in having some mortalities and typical processing by-products.
Starting from scratch and needing not only equipment,
DYW Highland will deliver an online event for young people on June 17 at 2.30pm.
but also key advice on potential end-products and markets of trade, using more than 35 years of industry knowledge and networking allowed Chris to offer Scottish expertise to an expanding market.
Chris commented on this development, saying: ‘I’ve been involved in this kind of work for most of my nigh-on 35 years in the fish industry, so I have a great deal of experience, both at home and internationally. Relevant to this enquiry, I’ve worked in Argentina,
Venezuela and Ecuador over the past 20 years, and built up some long-term working relationships. I make sure to maintain contact, keeping links with key contacts to help the global market develop.’
Chris added that it is not just networking that is important, but ‘sharing the well’, keeping an open-mind, open-heart and continuing to develop links with new markets. Even from his small home office in Fort William he is building relationships in Latin
America. Networking is important, but so is the future workforce. Networking takes many forms from face-to-face, events, online virtual contact, email, letters, phone calls, social media reach and much more.
Lochaber Chamber of Commerce is the hub of business in Lochaber and is host to Developing the Young Workforce West Highland (DYW West Highland). This programme works with a national network to reduce youth unemployment and driving forward employers’ engagement with schools and colleges; better preparing young people for the world of work.
DYW West Highland are partnering with Premium Members, Mowi, to deliver an online event for young people on Wednesday June 17 at 2.30pm. This will offer an interactive online discussion with a range of Mowi staff who will speak from the heart to provide valuable insights into their aquaculture career to inspire potential future colleagues.
Aquaculture offers a rewarding career path and this event has been designed to break down the stereotypes, especially around gender, and showcase the vast number of exciting roles available for young people right here in Lochaber plus Skye, and Wester Ross.
A career-path as a fish farmer is well-known, but many people do not realise the scope and opportunity is much wider. Using the salmon life cycle process from hatchery, farm, factor and distribution you will have the potential to use a number of skills and have the opportunity to work in a wide range of departments, there is more than one role available in the aquaculture industry.
This upcoming event is aimed at school-leavers but also open to all young people, those who may have been made redundant, are unemployed, or simply looking for a career opportunity or change. Teachers, parents, and carers are also strongly encouraged to join and learn about the opportunities available.
Donald Waring, learning and development manager at Mowi and DYW West Highland employer board member said: ‘At Mowi, we are delighted to be participating in this virtual event and being able to showcase to pupils, teachers, parents, carers and the numerous and varied career opportunities available in their local area.’
For more information about this event and other ways that DYW West Highland are promoting the world of world for young-people head to www.dywwesthighland. org today.