Celebrating 3,000 Training Awards: A Testament to Resilience in the Seafood Industry

Richard Wardell, Onshore Training Advisor at Seafish, reflects on a transformative five-year journey in training.

The landscape of training has dramatically changed over the last five years, particularly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to early 2020, most training courses were delivered either in person or through self-study printed materials. However, the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 forced a shift in our training delivery methods.

Adapting Training Methods

As part of the onshore training team, we quickly had to adjust our strategies. Our approved trainers honed their skills to deliver courses via platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We successfully launched our first remote course, the Bivalve Purification Operations, in May 2020.

Over time, we were able to offer exam invigilations remotely, significantly easing the administrative burden of exam administration. Since April 2020, approximately 40,000 online assessments have been completed via our online test portal, with our Elementary Food Hygiene practice test alone being attempted over 26,000 times.

Continued Development and Recognition

Throughout 2020, we encouraged learners to switch from printed workbooks to our online programs for courses like the Elementary Food Hygiene and Elementary Health and Safety. Both courses remain fully funded for those in the UK seafood industry, culminating in a nationally recognized qualification co-awarded with the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland.

Image ©Kilkeel Seafoods: Rebecka and Noel from Kilkeel Seafoods show off their certificates.

In keeping pace with industry changes, we developed new courses. In 2021, we introduced a two-day Bivalve Shellfish Hygiene Verification course for Environmental Health Officers. A year later, we launched a half-day Official Control Sampling course in response to regulatory changes.

Return to Face-to-Face Training

By 2023, we resumed in-person training. The Intermediate Fish Quality Assessment course saw the participation of John Skinner and his colleagues from Portsmouth Port Health Authority, who praised the training quality.

“I wanted to say thank you regarding the Intermediate Fish Quality Assessment training course. It all went very well; my colleagues and I learnt a lot from Seafish approved trainer Adrian Barratt,” noted John Skinner.

A Legacy of Change

While the pandemic challenged us in many ways, it also catalyzed lasting changes in how we conduct training. Today, a majority of our courses are delivered remotely, saving participants travel costs and time. However, we still recognize situations where face-to-face training is invaluable.

In 2025, we celebrated a significant milestone: issuing our 3,000th training award since the onset of the pandemic.

Spotlight on Successful Trainees

One notable recipient is Danna McGregor, who transitioned into the seafood sector with over 30 years of administrative experience. At G Armstrong Fishmongers, she proactively engaged with our onshore training team, securing essential professional qualifications.

“I approached Seafish for training advice and they provided a fully funded online Elementary Food Hygiene program and a part-funded Introduction to HACCP course. This training has equipped me with practical knowledge for my daily tasks,” expressed Danna.

Image © G Armstrong Fishmongers: Danna pictured outside G Armstrong Fishmongers with her manager David Shand.

The Value of Training

Investing in training yields significant benefits for both individuals and employers. Employees enhance their skills and knowledge, while companies see improved productivity and higher staff retention rates, driving profitability.

Our training programs provide exceptional value, with many online courses attracting up to 50% funding for individuals working in the UK seafood industry.

Get Involved

To learn more about our training options, you can subscribe to our monthly Seafood Training newsletter, which includes upcoming course dates. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to our Onshore Training team at onshore@seafish.co.uk for more information.

Source

Main Image © Seafish: John Skinner (left) and Seafish approved trainer Adrian Barratt (right) during one of the courses.