Shaun wins new NAFC award

A SALMON farm worker has become the first winner of a new award given out by the NAFC Marine Centre to honour its level three SVQ students.

Shaun McAlister, who is employed by Scottish Sea Farms, won the inaugural ‘Most outstanding SVQ Aquaculture Level 3 Award’ prize at the Scalloway college’s annual ceremony on Friday.

McAlister was picked from over 40 students due to his “outstanding written theory results and excellent practical skills”.

He has worked at Scottish Sea Farms’ Vidlin site for three years and recently added health and safety to his repertoire.

The award was sponsored by the Shetland branch of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation and general manager Davie Sandison said SVQ qualifications have helped to create careers in the industry.

“As technology has evolved through the years, salmon farming has become a very sophisticated, high tech career with many learning and development opportunities,” he said.

“SVQ is just one of the routes companies use to formalise staff training through learning onsite while gaining all relevant formal qualifications appropriate to this industry.

“This has helped professionalise the industry and transform jobs into careers, key steps to ensure salmon farming remains sustainable.”

Earlier this month, the NAFC Marine Centre said it was enjoying its busiest time since opening its doors in the mid-1990s.