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FISHING INDUSTRY TRAINING ORGANISATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Western Sea Fish Industry Training Association
Hazel Bennett
Training Coordinator
52 Stuart Road
Pennycomequick
Plymouth
Devon
PL3 4EE
Tel: 01752 770589

Email the Western Training Association

TRAINING FOR A CAREER AT SEA AS A FISHERMAN

Trainee

Job role and responsibility - you must attend approved basic safety training before you go to sea where you will operate as part of a team working mainly on the deck, but possibly also helping out in the engine room when required. You will also have responsibility for your own and other crew members' health and safety.

Career opportunities - you can decide which direction you wish your career to take once you have become a competent deckhand. You have the choice to follow either an engineering route or take the deck officer career path.

Entry requirements - all new entrants must attend courses covering the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) statutory safety training requirements in basic sea survival, first aid, fire fighting and basic health and safety. In addition, you must be physically fit, have good eyesight and be able to communicate and work well with others.

Qualifications and training opportunities -

MCA Approved Basic Safety Training

Sea Survival
First Aid
Fire Fighting
Health and Safety for Fishermen


You can enrol on a Scottish/National Vocational Qualification (S/NVQ) programme, usually under the Modern Apprenticeship scheme, which will enable you to achieve a VQ Level 2 qualification, a Foundation Modern Apprenticeship certificate and possibly other certificates such as key/core skills, radio operation and food hygiene along the way. If you stay on the Modern Apprenticeship programme for the full term you are likely to achieve a VQ Level 3 qualification and the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship certificate. In Wales, the Foundation Modern Apprenticeship is referred to as a National Traineeship.

Deckhand

Job role and responsibility - you will be working as a key member of the crew responsible for health and safety; preparing the deck and equipment for the catch; operating fishing gear and other equipment used for shooting and hauling fishing gear; repairing fishing gear; gutting and storing fish. You might also cook for crew members and will certainly help to ensure the vessel is kept clean, tidy and 'shipshape'. On some vessels you may be encouraged to develop your interest in engineering through active assistance in undertaking routine maintenance tasks.

Career opportunities - you can continue your career along the deck route by progressing to Mate and then onto Skipper once you have achieved the relevant statutory qualifications. You might wish to operate your own small boat and become qualified as an Inshore Skipper, or else pursue the engineering option. If you wish you can move into related maritime industries such as the Merchant Navy, offshore support and harbour tug boat work. These industries recognise the expertise you have gained whilst working in the fishing sector and may provide you with further opportunities to develop your career.

Entry requirements - you will need to have attended the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) statutory safety training requirements in basic safety awareness, sea survival, first aid and fire fighting. In addition, you must be physically fit, have good eyesight and be able to work well with others.

Qualifications and training opportunities -

Qualifications:

S/NVQ Marine Vessel Support (Deckhand) Level 2
Training Programmes:

Foundation Modern Apprenticeship in Sea Fishing, National Traineeship (Wales only) and Skillseekers (Scotland only)
Skipper (Inshore Area)
Job role and responsibility - you will be in command of a small fishing vessel (under current regulations - up to a maximum of 16.5m registered length) and responsible for its safe and efficient operation. You will also, most probably, be responsible for a crew even though, as skipper, you will still share some of the deckhand duties.

Career opportunities - you may wish to become an engineer or a skipper or mate on a larger fishing vessel in which case you will need to undertake additional training and achieve further vocational and statutory qualifications.

Entry requirements - there are no formal requirements other than attendance on the basic safety training courses although it is likely that you will have gained some prior experience working as a deckhand before deciding to own/skipper your own fishing vessel.

Qualifications and training opportunities -

Qualifications:

S/NVQ Marine Vessel Operations (Skipper Fishing Inshore) Level 3
Seafish Inshore Skipper's Certificate (issued on achieving the above S/NVQ)
MCA/RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance
Radio Operation - Short Range Certificate
Training Programmes:

Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Sea Fishing
Mate (Unlimited Area)
Job role and responsibility - your expertise in health and safety, chartwork and navigation, electronic navigational aids, fish finding instruments, radio communications, fishing techniques and care of the catch, will help you to deputise for the skipper as chief watch commander of the vessel when required. The Mate is often tasked with the responsibility for ensuring that the fishing gear operates correctly and that the catch is stored properly.

Career opportunities - to progress to Skipper (Limited Area) and Skipper (Unlimited Area) you will need to achieve the appropriate statutory qualification which will require you to undergo further training and obtain further seagoing experience.

If you wish you can also move into related maritime industries such as the Merchant Navy, Harbour Tug Boat work, ship and boat repair, fish farming, oil/gas exploration, support/stand-by vessels, cargo operations and ferries. All of these industries recognise the expertise you have gained whilst working in the fishing sector.

Entry requirements - you will need to have attended courses covering the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) statutory safety training requirements in basic sea survival, first aid and fire fighting. In order to gain your Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 certificate you will need to have completed approved 'Medical First Aid', Radio Operation - Long Range Certificate and advanced firefighting courses. These are normally included within your S/NVQ training programme. In addition, you must be physically fit with good eyesight, be aged at least 20, have sufficient and suitable experience of working on fishing vessels, and possess crew management skills with an understanding of all operational aspects of a fishing vessel

Qualifications and training opportunities -

Qualifications:

S/NVQ Marine Vessel Operations (Mate Fishing Unlimited) Level 3
Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 (endorsed for Mate in unlimited area)
National Training Programmes:

Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Sea Fishing
Skipper (Limited Area)

Job role and responsibility - you are responsible for all aspects of health and safety, crew and vessel management. This includes - supervising the operation of the fishing gear; vessel navigation; deciding on the method of fishing and the area of operation; management of business arrangement with merchants, vessel owners and agents; accurately maintaining all ship records and catch logs. You may be skipper / owner of your own vessel or engaged to act as skipper by the vessel's owner(s).

Career opportunities - you may decide to become a fishing vessel owner or seek to become Skipper (Unlimited area) after achieving the appropriate statutory qualification. If you wish you can also move into related maritime industries such as the Merchant Navy, Harbour Tug Boat work, ship and boat repair, fish farming, oil/gas exploration, support/stand-by vessels, cargo operationsand ferries. All of these industries recognise the expertise you have gained whilst working in the fishing sector.

Entry requirements - in order to gain your Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 certificate you will need to have completed approved 'Medical First Aid', Radio Operation - Long Range Certificate, Electronic Navigation Systems and advanced firefighting courses. . These are normally included within your S/NVQ training programme. In addition, you must be physically fit with good eyesight, be aged at least 20, have sufficient and suitable experience of working on fishing vessels, and possess crew management skills with an understanding of all operational aspects of a fishing vessel. You will also need to be knowledgeable in fishing as well as experienced in seamanship, electronics, engineering and meteorology and have a sound business head to ensure the best returns from catches.

Qualifications and training opportunities -

Qualifications:

S/NVQ Marine Vessel Operations (Skipper Fishing Limited) Level 4
Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2
Skipper (Unlimited Area)
Job role and responsibility - you are responsible for all aspects of health and safety, crew and vessel management. This includes - supervising the operation of fishing gear; vessel navigation; deciding on the method of fishing and the area of operation; management of business arrangement with merchants, vessel owners and agents; accurately maintaining all ship records and catch logs.

Career opportunities - you may decide to become a fishing vessel owner and move into fishing vessel management operations. If you wish you can also move into related maritime industries such as the Merchant Navy, Harbour Tug Boat work, ship and boat repair, fish farming, oil/gas exploration, support/stand-by vessels, cargo and ferries. All of these industries recognise the expertise you have gained whilst working in the fishing sector.

Entry requirements - in order to gain your Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 1 certificate you will need to provide evidence of suitable and sufficient watchkeeping service completed whilst holding the Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 certificate. You will also need to have achieved 'Proficiency in Medical Care', Radio Operation General Operator's certificate, Electronic Navigation Systems, Navigation Control and advanced firefighting certificates. These are normally included within your S/NVQ training programme. In addition, you must be physically fit with good eyesight, be aged at least 21, and possess crew management skills with an understanding of all operational aspects of a fishing vessel

Qualifications and training opportunities -

Qualifications:

S/NVQ Marine Vessel Operations (Skipper Fishing Unlimited) Level 4
Deck Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 1

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