Funding for life saving training for the Scottish fishing industry
Our drive to make the UK’s fishing industry safer has had a welcome boost thanks to funding announced by the Scottish Government today. The funds will be used to continue subsidising vital safety training to anyone working on commercial fishing vessels in Scotland.
We have been given £140,000 from the new Marine Scotland Fund which will match funding provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). A total of £280,000 is available to fund safety and skills training for the fishing industry in Scotland until 31 March 2022.
This latest round of funding means we are now supporting safety training across the UK as part of our work to make the fishing industry safer.
Book training now
Simon Potten, our Head of Safety & Training, is encouraging those who work on fishing vessels in Scotland to start thinking about what training you might need.
This funding has to be used by 31 March 2022, or it will be lost. Any training will need to have been completed by then so please get your applications in ASAP and get training courses booked.
With training providers still getting back to normal after the pandemic and many operating with reduced class sizes, training places are at a premium. Apply for funding and book early to avoid disappointment.
All funding should be applied for and approved before doing the training. To apply for funding, download an application from the page in the link below.
Funding applications can also be made through any of the Seafish Approved Training Providers.
Eligibility
Commercial fishing vessel workers with experience and new entrants who want to work in the fishing industry are eligible for funding.
The training must be formally recognised and delivered by a training provider approved by either Seafish, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency or the Royal Yachting Association.
Derek Cardno, Safety & Training Officer at the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has expressed his appreciation to Seafish for submitting the application on behalf of the Scottish fishing industry.
This is great news for fishermen across Scotland. The funding will encourage more fishermen to do any safety training that they feel is vital to help keep them and their fellow crew members safe.
It will also help career-minded fishermen to gain the qualifications they need to become the skippers, mates and engineers that the Scottish fishing industry needs.
Help and further information
For further information or if you need some help with an applying for funding, get in touch with one of our Training team by emailing training@seafish.co.uk or contact one of the team:
- Simon Potten (Manager) - 07876 035743
- Lee Haigh (Adviser) - 07904 660484