Pupils get a taste of salmon farming opportunities

A day-long event at Lochgilphead Joint Campus offered pupils the opportunity to meet those working in aquaculture, find out more about farm-raised salmon, and discover the career options open to them.

The event included an introduction to farmed salmon, technology exhibitions, a powerboat tour, and the chance to try a variety of salmon dishes. It was organised by trade body Salmon Scotland, its member companies and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Argyll – part of the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment strategy to better prepare young people for the world of work.

Scotland’s big four

Companies taking part included Scotland’s four biggest salmon farmers – Mowi, Scottish Sea Farms, the Scottish Salmon Company and Cooke Aquaculture Scotland – along with MSD Animal Health Aquaculture and industry supplier AKVA group.

Scottish salmon directly supports 500 jobs in Argyll and Bute, with many more in the supply chain.

Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott said: “We want to help the next generation of young people in Lochgilphead with their futures and talk to them about careers in salmon farming.

“Our member companies are at the heart of Scotland’s coastal communities. In many places the salmon farm at the end of the road keeps the local community alive, the school open, and helps support many local businesses.

“There are a huge number of different roles in aquaculture, and we need young people, especially females, to join us in looking after our world-leading salmon as we feed not only Scotland but the wider world.”

‘On their doorsteps’

The careers event was the first of many that organisers hope to stage across rural Scotland.

SAIC chief executive Heather Jones said the centre was proud to support the initiative, which would introduce hundreds of school pupils to the many varied and rewarding opportunities in aquaculture.

“The sector is on their doorsteps, and we hope that it inspires the students to seriously consider aquaculture as an exciting career destination,” added Jones.

“These pupils could become the innovators of the future, helping to produce sustainable and healthy protein that will feed the world’s growing population and support Scotland’s economy.”

Skilled workforce

Scott McKinnon, DYW cluster lead for Helensburgh and Lochgilphead, said: “Marrying up local labour market opportunities to our in-school activities is key to ensuring our community has the skilled workforce it needs to thrive in the future.

“I’d like to thank the aquaculture employers for recognising this and I am confident our young people will get a lot from the day.”

Ann Devine, principal of Lochgilphead Joint Campus, said the event signified another development in the strong partnership established between Lochgilphead High School and the Scottish salmon farming sector.

“The pupils will come away from the day having learned, engaged and had fun – but for some it could be the first stage in choosing a future career and for that we are indebted to local salmon farmers and supply chain companies for their ongoing support,” said Devine.