NAFC Apprentices Named as ALBAS Finalists

Two NAFC aquaculture apprentices are amongst the select group of Scotland’s top trainees and rural learners named as finalists for Lantra Scotland’s 19th Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS).

Lantra Scotland is the sector skills council for land-based, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries. The ALBAS celebrate the achievements of Scotland’s talented rural learners and help to highlight the importance of investing in skills for employers. The finalists for ALBAS 2021 were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the land-based and aquaculture sector, chaired by Keith Paterson of Forestry and Land Scotland.

The two NAFC finalists are:

Callum Duggan, aged 25 from Kilmun in Argyll & Bute, who has completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture (SVQ Level 3) while working at Cooke Aquaculture's Ardtaraig hatchery on Loch Striven. Callum has recently started a Technical Apprenticeship in Aquaculture Management (SVQ Level 4), also with NAFC.

Guy Tindall, aged 41 from Burra, who has also completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture (SVQ Level 3) while working as a marine senior husbandry technician with Grieg Seafood Shetland.

Stuart Fitzsimmons, NAFC’s section leader for aquaculture training, congratulated the Callum and Guy: “Their nominations reflect the hard work and commitment that they have displayed during their training, especially under the difficult circumstances over the last year.”

The NAFC Marine Centre’s aquaculture apprenticeships provide practical, ‘on-the-job’ training and skills development for aquaculture staff at all levels from new entrants to managers. More than 100 students across Scotland and England are currently enrolled on Aquaculture Apprenticeships with NAFC.

Although the Covid lockdowns have been disruptive, the NAFC Marine Centre has been able to continue supporting its aquaculture apprentices through the use of online learning with support from college staff working largely from home.

The winners of this year’s ALBAS will be announced at a special virtual ceremony taking place on Thursday 4th March which will be broadcast on social media.

Further Information

NAFC Aquaculture Apprenticeships: https://www.nafc.uhi.ac.uk/courses/aquaculture-apprenticeships/.

Lantra Awards: https://www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/news/finalists-albas-2021-announced.

Contact: Stuart Fitzsimmons (stuart.fitzsimmons@uhi.ac.uk).