Lochaber High School will host an aquaculture careers event for 650 secondary school pupils from the area.

Salmon sector serves up banquet of career choices for school pupils 

Editorial team
Published

More than 650 pupils from five secondary schools in the Lochaber area will have the opportunity to learn more about the wide range of local jobs in the Scottish salmon sector at a careers event at Lochaber High School on Wednesday, October 2.

The day is part of an on-going series of careers events to raise awareness of job opportunities within the sector.

Trade body Salmon Scotland says salmon farming contributes £119 million to the local economy of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, directly employing more than 500 people and supporting more than 410 local businesses.

Virtual farm and real food

Salmon farmers Bakkafrost Scotland and Scottish Sea Farms, and suppliers AKVA and Gael Force Group are among the companies at next week’s careers event, which has been organised by Salmon Scotland, salmon farmer Mowi Scotland, and Developing the Young Workforce West Highland.

Oban pupils step 'Into Aquaculture'

Six pupils from Oban High School have embarked on an Into Aquaculture programme developed by Scottish Sea Farms and University of the Highlands and Islands Argyll following a sector career event that SSF ran with the high school last September.

It’s the first time that Oban High School has participated in the programme, which was trialled by Tobermory High School on Mull.

Over three school terms from now until March, pupils will undertake two Into Aquaculture sessions per week, covering a total of seven modules to complete a NPA (National Progression Award) in Aquaculture at SCQF level 4. Four of these modules – North European Aquaculture; The Aquatic Environment; Finfish Anatomy and Fish Production; followed by a work placement – will be delivered by SSF and three by UHI Argyll.

At the end of the programme, pupils will have a sound understanding of the key disciplines involved in finfish farming and the range of careers available, along with an introduction to setting up a business in the sector.

Mowi Scotland’s salmon wagon will be on site and pupils will be able to sample either Scottish salmon fillet in a bun or Scottish salmon noodle salad.

Interactive activities will include virtual reality goggles that enable people to virtually visit a salmon farm, and an interactive game, “I am MOWI”, which takes a student through their interests and concludes with a suggested career path in aquaculture.

Many different roles

Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott said that in many places “the salmon farm at the end of the road keeps shops and schools open and helps to support the wider community”.

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

Jayne Mackay, community engagement officer at Mowi Scotland, said there were many varied career opportunities within aquaculture.

“As one of the largest employers in Lochaber, it is important that young people understand that they can stay in the area and have a long-term future career, which could also take them all over the world, given the scale of Mowi as the world’s largest aquaculture company.”

Creating a buzz

Jennifer Grant, programme manager at DYW West Highland, said the event had taken shape in a really exciting way.

“The commitment and enthusiasm from industry has been inspiring, and the delivery of the event is creating a buzz and understanding around the potential for future careers in the blue economy for pupils from five high schools locally.”

Pupils from Lochaber High School, Kilchuimen Academy, Mallaig High School, Ardnamurchan High School, and Kinlochleven High School will take part in the careers day.

Companies and organisations taking part in the event include: Salmon Scotland; Developing the Young Workforce West Highland; Scottish Sea Farms; Bakkafrost Scotland; Gael Force Group; AKVA; Ferguson Transport; BioMar (feed); Sølvtrans (wellboats); Lantra Scotland (training); Young Aquaculture Society (for young aquaculture professionals); Scottish Seaweed Industry Association; Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). 

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