Seafood business apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical on the job training with additional study. An apprentice is employed by a business and is paid while they gain experience and knowledge, important to their job role and chosen apprenticeship.
We work together with organisations that offer apprenticeships across the UK for the seafood industry. There are many different options available, depending on where you are based.
You can find out more about the different types of apprenticeships available in each sector by following the links below.
Funding for apprenticeships also varies across the UK so you should contact a local apprenticeship provider to confirm what rules are in place in your area.
You can find contact details for some apprenticeship providers further down this page.
Questions about apprenticeships
How long does it take to complete an apprenticeship?
This can depend upon the level of the apprenticeship. A typical operative/team leader apprenticeship will take between 12 to 18 months, whilst a supervisor/manager apprenticeship may last up to five years.
Who is responsible for delivering the apprenticeship?
The employer monitors the delivery of the apprenticeship programme by their apprenticeship provider. The apprenticeship provider is responsible for providing the training. The assessment of the apprentice’s skills and knowledge is a key part of any apprenticeship.
There are differences in the details of how apprenticeships are delivered across the UK. Your local apprenticeship provider can provide advice.
What age limits apply to apprenticeships in the UK?
There is no upper age limit although there may be limits on funding. Offering an apprenticeship to older workers may significantly improve employers’ success in retaining and recruiting staff.
How much are apprentices paid?
Employers are encouraged to pay more than the required minimum wage as apprentices should be seen as a valuable resource for the business and this can help with retention, staff loyalty and as encouragement for others to also take up apprenticeships when available.
How many hours a week does an apprentice work?
They usually work a minimum of 30 hours a week, but no more than 40 hours in a single week. Apprentices working part time will take longer to complete their apprenticeship programme.
Are apprentices entitled to holidays?
As apprentices are usually full-time employees of the business they have the same employment conditions as other employees.
Does an employer have to employ an apprentice when they have concluded their apprenticeship?
Apprentices may be employed on a fixed term contract lasting until the end of their apprenticeship. Most apprentices are recruited to fill a permanent job role and will stay with their employer long after completion of their programme.
Once an apprentice has completed their programme, they are likely to be a highly competent and valuable member of your workforce, and someone you would be well advised to retain.
Apprenticeships can:
- Support staff development so that employees gain important skills and knowledge
- Be directly relevant to the operations in your business
- Help to boost productivity and quality of output
- Attract new talent
- Lead to more applications when advertising job roles
- Be taken by existing staff as well as new recruits.
A variety of apprenticeships are available to help businesses in the fish and chip industry ensure that their staff have the knowledge and skills to become excellent fish friers.
Fish frying businesses can access Level 2 and Level 3 fish and shellfish industry framework based apprenticeships in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These frameworks have some fish frying and cooked food/food service content to draw from.
In England the available apprenticeships are the standards-based Production Chef for Fish Friers Apprenticeship available at Level 2 and the Senior Production Chef Apprenticeship available at Level 3.
Scotland
Skills Development Scotland – call the employer helpline on 0800 783 6000 or see the Skills Development Scotland website.
Wales
Coleg Cambria, contact their Employer Engagement team on 0300 3030006 or employers@cambria.ac.uk (North Wales fish friers only).
Cambrian Training – contact Mark Llewellyn on 01938 555893 or email mark@cambriantraining.com.
Northern Ireland
The various Regional Colleges may be able to support apprenticeships in the seafood industry.
England
HIT Training – contact 0800 093 5892 or info@hittraining.co.uk
Case studies and videos about fish and chip apprentices can be accessed on the following links below:
A variety of apprenticeships are available to help businesses in the seafood retail and wholesale industry ensure that their staff have the knowledge and skills to become excellent fishmongers.
Seafood businesses can access Level 2 and Level 3 fish and shellfish industry framework based apprenticeships in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These frameworks have a significant fishmonger content to draw from.
In England the available apprenticeship is a standards-based retail fishmonger apprenticeship at Level 2. The Standard has been revised to include wholesale fishmongering and this will be available from 19 March 2025.
Scotland
Skills Development Scotland – call the employer helpline on 0800 783 6000 or see the Skills Development Scotland website.
Wales
Cambrian Training – contact Mark Llewellyn on 01938 555893 or email mark@cambriantraining.com
Northern Ireland
The various Regional Colleges may be able to support apprenticeships in the seafood industry.
England
There are several providers of fishmonger apprenticeships. For an up to date list of providers, please visit this website.
Fish and shellfish processors businesses can access Level 2 and Level 3 fish and shellfish industry framework based apprenticeships in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These frameworks have a significant processing and manufacturing content to draw from.
In England the available apprenticeship is a standards-based food and drink process operator apprenticeship at Level 2.
Scotland
Skills Development Scotland – call the employer helpline on 0800 783 6000 or see the Skills Development Scotland website.
Wales
Cambrian Training – contact Mark Llewellyn on 01938 555893 or email mark@cambriantraining.com
Northern Ireland
The various Regional Colleges may be able to support apprenticeships in the seafood industry.
England
The revised Level 2 Fishmonger Standard includes a pathway for those fish merchants, wholesalers and primary processors who are not well served by the Food and Drink Process Operator Standard. Those seafood businesses that fit well with the Food and Drink standards are seafood manufacturers, secondary processors and others.
In England there is a fishing apprenticeship available. For information visit the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education website using the link below or view this Seafish webpage on New Entrant training.
A Modern Apprenticeship is available in Scotland. Further information can be found on the Apprenticeships.Scot website.
Contact for further information
For further information and advice on apprenticeships, please use the details below:
Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland
For enquiries about fish frier, fishmonger, seafood processing or aquaculture apprenticeships contact our Onshore Training team, email onshore@seafish.co.uk
For enquiries about fishing apprenticeships, contact our Seagoing Training team, email training@seafish.co.uk