Hunt on for top aquaculture learner

New national competition to find ‘Aquaculture Learner of the Year’
Attracting high calibre new entrants is vital for the future growth of the sector

Aquaculture employees are being encouraged to enter for a new national competition that aims to identify Scotland’s top learners.

Organised by Lantra, the Sector Skills Council, the ‘Aquaculture Learner of the Year’ award will recognise and reward outstanding learners in the sector at a ceremony in February 2008.

Local employers and training providers are now being urged to nominate, ahead of the 14th December deadline, employees and students who have shown outstanding commitment to training, overcome the odds to succeed or have inspired others through their hard work and determination.

Lantra’s National Director for Scotland, William Fergusson said: “The Award is the best platform for raising awareness of the many talented and committed employees and students working in aquaculture.

“Attracting high calibre new entrants is vital for the future growth of the sector. To do this, we must promote the many exciting career and training opportunities that are available,” he added.

Supporting the creation of the new award, Sid Patten, Chief Executive of the trade body Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO), added: “The hunt for the top aquaculture learner is a wonderful opportunity for companies to increase motivation in their already hard-working employees.

“The top aquaculture learner could be a comparatively new recruit to the industry or someone who has taken their skills to the next level through on-the-job training offered by their company,” he added.

Winners and finalists will be selected by a panel of independent judges. The ‘Aquaculture Learner of the Year’ will then compete with 14 other title winners for the overall title of ‘Scottish Land-based Learner of the Year’. Other prize winners who will be competing for the top prize include the ‘Higher Education Leaner of the Year’ and the ‘Modern Apprentice of the Year’.

Prospective applicants should visit www.lantra.co.uk/scotland for further information.

Notes to editors:

1. Picture caption: Sid Patten of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) believes that employees in aquaculture businesses deserve greater recognition.

2. The Scottish aquaculture industry was valued in excess of £400million in 2006, according to the Aquaculture Information Bureau (AIB). Launched on Wednesday 28th November, the AIB is a new, virtual resource set up to provide authoritative information about the industry. One of the foremost food producing sectors in rural Scotland, the value of aquaculture is second only to beef at £467m, and ahead of fish catches at £370m, the sheep sector at £151m and the pig industry at £57m. The new information source, www.aquaculture.org.uk, received support for the greater openness being shown by the industry from broadcaster Sally Magnusson. Calling aquaculture’s development in Scotland a “fascinating story”, Ms Magnusson admitted she didn’t know that it made such a major contribution to the rural economy.

3. Speaking at the ‘Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture’ on Tuesday 30th October, Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO), told the Minister for Environment Michael Russell MSP that the industry, with the support of Lantra, is to embark on a new study to identify the skills needs in the salmon farming sector. For further information visit http://www.scottishsalmon.co.uk/mediacentre/releases/2007/29.10.07.asp.

4. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the aquaculture sector, is licensed by UK governments to drive forward the new skills, training and business development for the sector. In Scotland, Lantra represents over 24,000 businesses with approximately 108,500 employees and a further 40,000 volunteers and 30,000 casual workers in agricultural crops, agricultural livestock, animal care, animal technology, aquaculture, environmental conservation, equine, farriery, fencing, fisheries management, floristry, game and wildlife management, land-based engineering, landscape, production horticulture, trees and timber and veterinary nursing. For more information see www.lantra.co.uk/scotland.

5. Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation aims to represent salmon farming in regulatory and political matters. For the first time, industry members from mainland Scotland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have joined together to ensure that the industry’s contribution to Scotland’s social, economic and commercial landscape is promoted, recognised and rewarded by its stakeholders.

For further information contact either:

Victoria White, Communications Co-ordinator Scotland, Lantra, 01738 553311 or victoria.white@lantra.co.uk

Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 07974 173739

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