Husbandry operatives
Most of the fin-fish produced in Northern and Southern Europe are reared in cages. Farms need to be managed and maintained by a well-motivated and up to date workforce. Through their dedication and initiative, the industry can advance, grow and remain profitable.
However, aquaculture technology and equipment is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Computerised systems for environmental monitoring, fish feeding, stock surveillance and monitoring are now well established. Cage farming systems have been getting larger and in some cases moving further off shore, to benefit from unpolluted, disease free waters.
Thus, the Bridges Network of CoVE schools target the development of aquaculture Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher VET transnational platform. This includes a strong emphasis on the modernisation and digitalisation of work-based learning and apprenticeship systems within four north European countries producing finfish. VET delivery teams will be developed in partnership with the industry (fish producers and technology supply companies) including SMEs and larger companies. Work based learning pedagogies and digital learning resources and tools will be developed that allow each country to create the ‘blend’ of work-based and alternative methods of VET delivery, to suit its own priorities, resources, national VET systems and stage of aquaculture VET development.