New fish industry qualifications spreading their net nationally

The Proficiency in Fish and Shellfish Industry Skills qualification has been developed by Improve, the food and drink skills council, which is based in York, and can now be accessed through the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink’s training provider network.

Improve has worked with the Hull-based Seafish Industry Authority, the Seafood Training Academy in Grimsby, leading employers and other trade representatives to develop the new Level 2 Improve Proficiency Qualification (IPQ), which is aimed at employees working in fish and shellfish processing and the related supply chain.

It will offer a mix of occupational skills and knowledge units covering everything from the competencies to perform effectively in processing, the science and technology of processing, and different preparation methods, through to storage, presentation and sales.

The seafood industry employs more than 4,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Mica MacInnes, seafood skills consultant at the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, said: “This is a brand new qualification and developed in response to employers’ skills needs. Like other IPQs, it will address the unique skills to perform consistently and reliably at work and confirm proficiency.

“However, it will also provide the broader knowledge and understanding which employers want to see developed in the industry to underpin workplace skills. The qualification is offering a very wide range of units not only in processing but extending into the supply chain in distribution, sales and fish frying.”

She added: “The significant scope of this IPQ means that it can be used to support the development and recognition of skills in many occupations in the industry. Typically, this will be suitable for those in fish and shellfish processing, packing/wrapping and distribution activities, wholesale and sales of fish and shellfish and fish frying. New approaches to the use of these qualifications in the industry will also mean that employers will be able to align training and assessment to their own workplace systems, which significantly increases the relevance and benefits of using the IPQ.

“Employers who would like to find out more information and register their interest should contact the Skills Solution Team at the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink, which is working to facilitate provision of the qualification.”