Making salmon farming a more attractive career

Speaking at the ‘Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture’ tomorrow, Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO), will tell the Minister for Environment Michael Russell MSP that the industry is to embark on a new study to identify the skills needs in the salmon farming sector.

Entitled ‘Salmon farming: meeting the industry’s future needs’, supported by Lantra, the initiative will consider the need for the industry to develop and implement a framework for the progression and development of its workforce. 

 “Promoting salmon farming as an attractive career opportunity and providing access to appropriate training are vital factors in the industry achieving its full potential,” said Patten.  

 “A detailed analysis of our sector is required. 

“Training and skills development are seen as crucial to the future sustainability of the sector and our industry’s ability to help reverse the decline in populations in coastal communities across the west coast and islands of Scotland ,” he added. 

 Among the new initiative’s top priorities will be the provision of training to people in sometimes remote and rural areas, and considering the establishment of new vocational qualifications.