The first meeting of the WiSA mentoring programme was held at SAMS , Oban in January 2020. The programme has returned after a hiatus in 2024.

Mentoring returns for women in Scotland's aquaculture sector

Editorial team
Published

A mentoring programme for women working in the Scottish aquaculture sector has been re-activated for 2025.

The Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) programme was paused at the beginning of 2024 but has been renewed following WiSA’s move from its original host body, the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), to Scottish Government-backed rural skills training organisation Lantra Scotland.

The nine-month mentoring programme is facilitated by Skillfluence Ltd and provides an opportunity for training and professional development, for both mentees and mentors, with support from a career coach throughout. It aims to connect professionals who are aspiring leaders with experienced mentors from across the aquaculture industry.

Fully funded

Crown Estate Scotland (CES), which leases sites to fish and shellfish farmers, has sponsored the mentoring programme and so it is fully funded for participants.

The mentoring programme is looking for early-to mid-career women, especially newer entrants to the sector, to become mentees. They should have a commitment to aquaculture and a wish to enhance their careers.

The programme is looking for mid-to senior male and female aquaculture professionals from both academia and industry, who are eager to make a difference, to become mentors.

Jill Couto-Phoenix: Mentoring programme "helps to secure a sustainable and innovative future for Scottish aquaculture".

Jill Couto-Phoenix, head of aquaculture at Lantra and former SAIC head of skills and talent, said: “We are pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 aquaculture mentoring programme. This continued investment in skills development for the industry helps to secure a sustainable and innovative future for Scottish aquaculture.”

Positive for the sector

CES aquaculture head Anneli Hill said: “As a previous partner in this scheme, I was very pleased to confirm Crown Estate Scotland’s sponsorship of the WiSA mentoring scheme this year. It’s a positive initiative for the industry and provides some great opportunities for more senior professionals within the industry the chance to offer support to more junior colleagues as they develop their own careers.”

Teresa Garzon, chair of the WiSA advisory group and sales regional manager and business developer at PatoGen, said: “We are delighted that the mentoring programme will be active again this year. It is such an important keystone to ensure that the industry continues to grow, giving early career professionals the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills to lead the industry in the future.”

The programme will run through one-to-one sessions between mentees and mentors and requires both participants to be actively engaged with the scheme. Sessions will take place remotely, online, although participants could choose to meet in-person.

Applications for both mentee and mentor positions close on February 24, 2025. Applications to the programme can be made here.

Requirements for mentors

  • You work in the aquaculture sector in Scotland, or
  • You are currently residing in Scotland and are studying or researching an aquaculture-related subject/topic.
  • You have 3+ years of experience in the sector
  • You can commit to at least nine meetings (either virtual or in-person, as per your preference) with a mentee over nine to ten months.

Requirements for mentees

  • You work in the aquaculture sector or are studying an aquaculture related field in Scotland
  • You have a desire to learn about professional progression and how to grow your network
  • You can commit to at least nine meetings (either virtual or in-person, as per your preference) with a mentor over nine to ten months.
news scottish aquaculture women in scottish aquaculture mentoring programme lantra scotland crown estate scotland