Fish Welfare Online
Students can now complete NAFC's fish welfare training course without attending college by studying the new e-learning version of the course online.
The NAFC Marine Centre's Fish Welfare course is aimed at a wide range of people working in the aquaculture industry, including fish farm operatives and fish transport and processing staff. The course covers the principles and responsibilities of fish welfare to meet the RSPCA's Freedom Foods standard and the syllabus includes a wide range of welfare issues, including live fish transfer, harvesting and production.
The launch of the e-learning version of the course means that students can undertake the training at a time and place that suits them, without having to attend college. Aquaculture training section leader Stuart Fitzsimmons explained that NAFC had developed the online version of the course in response to requests from the aquaculture industry. "It can be difficult for fish farm workers to attend college on a fixed date, especially if they live or work in more remote areas, and we have had a lot of requests for more flexible ways for workers to undertake training. The online version of our Fish Welfare course means that workers can complete this training at work or at home, and at any time that suits them. It also means that we can offer the training to many more people outside Shetland."
The e-learning Fish Welfare course has been designed and developed by NAFC's Saro Saravanan based on the original 'face-to-face' version developed by Gregg Arthur. (The face-to-face version will still be available for students who prefer that mode of learning.)
The online course uses the UHI's 'Blackboard Learn+' virtual learning environment. Once enrolled, students will be able to access the course via any internet enabled device (including tablets and smartphones). Simple online instructions guide them through the course, which should take about 10 hours to complete. Students will be able to contact an NAFC tutor for assistance if required.
NAFC will continue to deliver the Fish Welfare course in college as a one or two day course, for those who prefer that mode of delivery.
The launch of the online Fish Welfare course follows the launch last year of an online version of NAFC's Introduction to Fish Farm Containment course.
See full details of the Fish Welfare and other Aquaculture Courses offered by NAFC.