Scottish Government Unveils Modern Apprenticeships For Fishing Industry

Richard Lochhead: new entrants are 'life blood of fishing industry'

THE Scottish Government today launched a new modern apprenticeship training programme to give young people the chance to enter Scotland’s £500 million a year fishing industry.

• Modern apprenticeship will give young people the chance to enter Scotland’s £500m a year fishing industry
• Richard Lochhead keen for new entrants to be future life blood of fishing industry

The Modern Apprenticeship in Sea Fishing scheme will offer young people, aged 16 to 24, an entry route into a career in fishing. And it is hoped that up to 20 young people will start their careers as trawlermen each year through the programme.

Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Fisheries Secretary, announced the new scheme during a visit to the port of Buckie on the Moray Firth.

He said: “New entrants are the future life blood of the fishing industry and if we are to secure the future of fishing in Scotland we need to do all we can make a career in fishing more accessible for young people.

“We need to ensure that the fleet can access the skills and manpower needed to be successful. Therefore the launch of the new apprenticeship scheme marks a very positive start to the year for Scottish fishing.” READ MORE