The BlueEDU Aquaculture Sector Skills Alliance, approved in July 2016 in support of the European “blue growth” agenda, has a unique opportunity to put aquaculture workforce development practices under the spotlight.

The BlueEDU mission is to help the cage farming sector of the aquaculture industry to find ways of developing the workforces’ knowledge, skills and qualifications more effectively and efficiently.

We would like to see the number of staff holding relevant and reliable aquaculture qualifications to increase, thereby professionalising the European workforce. We believe that the provision of accessible, high quality, innovative work based training and qualifications will be most influential in achieving this ambition.

The BlueEDU partnership invites you to join us on this aquaculture workforce development journey.

John B. Stav
Project coordinator

The blue economy is promoting the adoption of greener production processes that can increase the number of high-quality employment opportunities. Concurrently, the industry is seeking more professionals that are equipped with the skills, competences and qualifications needed to grow fish profitably.

Farms strive to keep their fish healthy and well fed at all times, leading to faster and more efficient fish growth. The profitability of a fish farm depends on these key factors, which in turn depend on the knowledge and competence of their workforce.

The European aquaculture workforce is relatively unqualified compared to other mature industries. Despite this, the sector has developed rapidly this century, assisted by the implementation of modern equipment and technology.

But, without vigilant stockmen and site managers who can operate the latest equipment and technology competently, a multitude of practical ‘day to day’ problems cannot be solved and progress is slow.

Well-chosen farm locations, genetically proven fish stocks, nutritionally complete diets and investment in advanced equipment and technologies, all help to tip the odds in the farmers’ favour.