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Seafish secures welcomed funding from Scottish Government for vital life-saving training for the Scottish fishing industry
Seafish secures £140,000 from Scottish Government to continue offering free training
The drive to make Scotland’s fishing industry safer has had a welcome boost thanks to funding announced by the Scottish Government today. The funds will be used by Seafish to continue subsidising vital safety-related training to anyone working on commercial fishing vessels in Scotland.
Seafish, the public body supporting the seafood sector in the UK, used match funding provided by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to apply for funding from the new Marine Fund Scotland. A total of £280,000 is now available for spending until 31 March 2022.
This means Seafish now has funding in place to subsidise training for fishermen across the whole of the UK. Training is a key part of Seafish’s work to help make the fishing industry safer.
Simon Potten, Head of Safety & Training at Seafish, welcomed the news and is encouraging those who work on fishing vessels in Scotland to start thinking about what training they might need. He said:
“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.”
Derek Cardno, Safety & Training Officer at the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, commented:
“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.”
Mr Cardno also expressed his appreciation to Seafish for submitting the application on behalf of the Scottish fishing industry.
Eligibility
Commercial fishermen 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.
All funding should be applied for and approved before doing the training. To apply for funding, download an application form on the Seafish website. The full web address is www.seafish.org/safety-and-training/seagoing-training/funding-for-safety-training
Funding applications can also be made through any of the Seafish Approved Training Providers. A full list is on the Seafish website.
Source: Press Release
