Ayrshire College Students Dive Deep into Sustainable Aquaculture Careers at Information Session
Aspiring leaders within the aquaculture industry gathered at Ayrshire College for an immersive career information session on sustainable aquaculture.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the diverse career paths available in this rapidly growing field.
More than 70 attendees, including online, class groups and in-person at the Kilwinning Campus, engaged with industry experts from leading organisations such as the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, WellFish Tech, and Bakkafrost Scotland.
The session began with Jillian Couto-Phoenix, Head of Skills and Talent at SAIC, providing an informative introduction to the aquaculture sector and highlighting SAIC's mission to connect businesses and academics and explaining how they work to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of aquaculture. This includes funding and supporting commercially relevant, collaborative research, funding university places and running tailored training programmes.
The heart of the event featured insightful talks from industry professionals. Rhianna Rees, of the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, shed light on the exciting future of the seaweed industry, while Josip Barišić, of WellFish Tech, provided more information about the health and welfare of fish. Morgan Maclean, IT Support Technician at Bakkafrost Scotland, showcased the diverse support roles crucial for successful aquaculture operations.
Engaging discussions followed with Hazel Peat, who combines her aquaculture role with running her own business, Number Nine Marketing; Jim Cameron of SAIC; and Matilda Lomas, Veterinary Practice and Cleanerfish Manager at Bakkafrost Scotland, offering valuable insights into their career journeys and the exciting future of the sustainable aquaculture industry.
Anne Campbell, Vice Principal of Skills and Enterprise at Ayrshire College, said: “The College was delighted to host an aquaculture career information session. The session provided an invaluable opportunity for our students to hear about the growing importance of the sector to the economy and the hugely varied and exciting careers in this sector.”
Jillian Couto-Phoenix, added “We were really pleased to be invited by Ayrshire College to organise an event where we engaged with staff and students about the many rewarding career opportunities within the ever-growing field of aquaculture. The future of sustainability lies in innovation and these potential new entrants, bringing their fresh thinking into the sector, will be the driving force behind that future.”
The successful event at Ayrshire College demonstrates the growing interest in sustainable aquaculture careers. By providing valuable information, industry connections and career guidance, the College is providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this dynamic and important field.
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