'Sea' a bright future in seafood industry, urges new campaign
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THERE is a sea of career opportunities in the seafood industry, a new recruitment campaign is highlighting
Scotland’s vibrant £1.6 billion seafood industry has launched an initiative to help find the right candidates to fill numerous vacancies that are continuously coming up across the processing sector.
Over 8400 people in Scotland currently work in the seafood industry in a diverse range of roles spanning food processing and technology, HR, marketing, commercial and engineering.
Seafish is collaborating with industry body the Scottish Seafood Association to show the wealth of opportunities available in the sector to help attract people looking to start, progress or change their career.
The Sea A Bright Future campaign will run across print media, digital and radio.
Jimmy Buchan, CEO of the Scottish Seafood Association, said: “The seafood processing sector is vibrant, unlike some other industries just now, and offers a diverse range of career options within both large and small companies.
“There are huge opportunities for people to go far in the seafood industry if they show the right ability, ambition and enthusiasm. This campaign seeks to shine a light on that and put a career in the sector into the hearts and minds of those looking for an exciting new challenge.
“With the coronavirus pandemic, people are evaluating not just what they do but where they do it and with seafood companies often located in attractive rural settings you get more living space – whether buying or renting – for your money.”
The campaign seeks to stress that there are many benefits associated with working in the sector, including flexible hours for those juggling carer and childcare responsibilities or those simply looking for a better work/life balance. The industry also offers career progression, equipping employees with the skills and knowledge to develop themselves and further their career.
Vacancies span from entry to senior level, from opportunities on the factory floor, in the offices or in the laboratories.
Skills sets that are in great demand across the sector include engineering and food technologists, according to Scottish Seafood Association members Thistle Seafoods, and Macduff Shellfish.
Richard Stephen has worked for Thistle Seafoods for over 20 years, starting as a factory operative and working his way into the engineering department, and ultimately to his current position as engineering manager.
He explained: “I’d always been interested in mechanical work and fixing machines but I went straight into the workforce from school and didn’t have the opportunity to work in that area.
“But when I was working in the factory and the chance came up to move to the engineering team, I put my name in straight away and I haven’t looked back.”
Andrew Brown, from Macduff Shellfish, stressed the breadth of opportunity available.
"It's not just a great industry to start a career – many people have brought their experience, qualifications and skills from other jobs, particularly oil and gas, into seafood.
"In our company, we've seen people move from different areas of food production or environmental work.
"And although there's a general shortage of engineers, we don't expect industry-sepcific knowledge as long as they have the skills and ability."
Find out more about careers in the seafood industry by visiting www.seaabrightfuture.com
