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On Tuesday, 17 October, Defra announced the allocation of £3.9 million to enhance training facilities aimed at upskilling the workforce and encouraging careers in the seafood sector, alongside the development of new sea fishing infrastructure.
This funding comes from the £100 million UK Seafood Fund, which is designed to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the UK fisheries and seafood industry through investments in modern infrastructure, scientific advancements, skill development, and export support.
The latest investment encompasses approximately £3.8 million designated for four key projects across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as part of Round 2 of the Skills and Training initiative. This builds upon the £1.1 million granted in the first round earlier this year, which is directed towards creating state-of-the-art classrooms, specialized technical training zones that include a Maritime Bridge Simulator, and enhanced blended training facilities to equip future generations with essential skills for thriving in the seafood industry.
Mark Spencer, Fisheries Minister, stated:
The UK Seafood Fund has already proven to be a tremendous success — from the renovation of ports and aquaculture facilities to the development of innovative training programs aimed at attracting new talent to the sector.
This new investment will fortify the industry, ensuring that both current and future members of the workforce are well-prepared with the required skills and resources to pursue rewarding careers in seafood.
The funding includes £3 million awarded to the Scottish White Fish Producers Association to establish a new Seafood Centre of Excellence that will replace a temporary training facility in northeast Scotland with a state-of-the-art industry hub. This new facility will feature custom-built classrooms, technology demonstration spaces, and areas for blended training, allowing trainees nationwide to take advantage of its resources.
Additional funded projects consist of refurbishments of training centers at the Portavogie harbor in Northern Ireland, upgrades to the Maritime Bridge Simulator at the University of the Highlands and Islands in the Shetland Islands, and enhancements to facilities in Grimsby to create a new Seafood School.
John Lamont, UK Government Minister for Scotland, remarked:
It’s fantastic to see three Scottish initiatives awarded a total of more than £3.2 million from the latest round of the UK Seafood Fund.
The Scottish White Fish Producers Association’s plans for a new seafood center of excellence, alongside the University of the Highlands and Islands project to upgrade a seafarers’ training simulator, will sustain Scotland’s esteemed reputation in fisheries, seafood, and aquaculture.
The £100 million fund from the UK Government is a vital component of our commitment to uplifting coastal communities and is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of enhancing the economy and generating higher-paying job opportunities across the nation.
Steve Baker, UK Government Minister for Northern Ireland, expressed:
The Sea Fish Industry Training Association in Portavogie will benefit from over £450,000 in UK Government funding, which will enhance safety measures at sea.
These upgrades to training facilities and equipment will support the organization’s mission to provide top-notch training and guidance to the local fishing community. This demonstrates true levelling up in action.
Mike Park, Chief Executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers Association, commented:
Our members and the broader seafood industry are thrilled to receive £3 million from the Defra training infrastructure fund, which will enable us to construct a seafood Centre of Excellence within our fishing community.
The Centre will function as a hub for both onshore and offshore training, supported by classroom-based and virtual learning opportunities, creating an ideal environment to encourage recruitment into the seafood sector.
In addition, the government has announced an investment of £154,000 for Round 4 of the Infrastructure scheme, following a substantial investment of £56 million that has already been allocated through this initiative.
Round 4 will support the development of recreational sea fishing, funding new clubhouses, boatsheds, storage solutions, and improvements to access facilities.
The UK Seafood Fund is currently accepting applications from the commercial fishing sector interested in purchasing or modifying to more fuel-efficient engines. Grants of up to £160,000 are available through Round 3 of the Infrastructure Scheme, supporting the trial of greener engine technologies to foster a safe and sustainable fishing environment while addressing rising fuel costs.
This fund represents the government’s commitment to fostering long-term prosperity in coastal communities nationwide, stimulating job creation and business growth.
Moreover, the Levelling Up Fund has allocated approximately £1 billion to support 50 coastal projects, focusing on revitalizing town centers and high streets, upgrading local transport infrastructure, and enhancing cultural and heritage assets.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is also forming Levelling Up Partnerships in six coastal regions, providing tailored funding packages and collaborating with local leaders, businesses, community organizations, and citizens to identify and tackle substantial challenges for economic improvement.
For More Information
Comprehensive details about the projects awarded funding through Round 4 of the Infrastructure scheme can be accessed here.
In addition, full information regarding the projects funded through Round 2 of the Skills and Training scheme can be found here.
SOURCE
Elena Rossi is a graduate of the University of Hohenheim in Germany, where she earned her degree in Agricultural Economics. Her coursework centered on farm management, agricultural policy, and rural development. Elena is dedicated to enhancing the economic viability of small farms and works as a policy analyst, advising on agricultural economics and food security issues in Europe.
