While 57-year-old James MacDonald from Stornoway might not be most people’s idea of a typical trainee, he has turned out to be an ideal candidate for the Modern Apprentice training programme.

After leaving school with no qualifications, James worked in a warehouse and the retail industry for 30 years, before deciding to try something new. He changed careers and joined the Scottish Salmon Company in their hatchery station, then moved on to become Production Manager with Hebridean Mussels, part of The Loch Fyne Group, two years ago. It was here he was offered the opportunity to do a Modern Apprenticeship.

James said “I completed the SCQF Level 7 Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture through NAFC Marine Centre UHI, which is now part of Shetland UHI.  Having come from a retail background, I found it really useful to be able to learn in my new workplace, doing everyday tasks. I could then explain situations better to my assessor, as we were in a real-life work environment”.

Despite his rural location and COVID restrictions, was delighted with the support he got from NAFC UHI, his training provider. He said “They really were fantastic – if I ever had a question, I could email or call the team at the college, and they were quick to get back in touch. I uploaded my assessments online, which made things easier with feedback when we couldn’t physically meet.”

James explained that his current role at the Bernera site focuses on mussels and continued: “The spat stock is naturally occurring and settles on ropes we put in the water. Over 3 years, they grow to sale size and are then harvested via boats, cleaned, graded and packed, ready for retail. Our work is seasonal – we don’t process mussels from the end of May to mid-September as there are toxins and algal blooms in the water at that time of year. Instead, we harvest from September to May around the orders that we get.”

Although James may be working in a sector that’s new to him, his existing management experience still helps. He said “I manage a team of seven, with four shore-based and three on boats. We do all the processing on-site, from harvesting, processing, packaging, and packing onto lorries bound for Stornoway, where they will be taken to the mainland. We also take samples of water and keep records electronically, testing weekly for toxin levels, running our own internal audits and providing samples for Food Standards Scotland.”

He continues: “We have a small number of staff on site and customer orders need to be processed by a certain time to meet deadlines, so we need to make sure our team works well together. This is a rural setting, so it can be hard to find new staff, but we tend to pick the right people as they stay with the business a long time. Every day is different here. Sometimes you’re working indoors, sometimes outdoors in the wind, rain or sunshine, but it’s never dull!”

James recognises that having the Modern Apprenticeship qualification will help his career in the long run, saying: “My company are really supportive with training, encouraging us to get as much as possible. I’m so glad I did the Modern Apprenticeship programme as it’s helped me immensely, especially coming from another sector. It’s fantastic having officially accredited aquaculture qualifications that are recognised throughout the industry.”

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