Expert panel to shed light on recruitment issues

For our free webinar next week on Recruitment and Diversity in Aquaculture, Fish Farmer has brought together an expert panel covering a breadth of perspectives.

The webinar, part of Fish Farmer’s Aqua Agenda series, takes place on Wednesday 21 August, 11.30am-12.30pm British Summer Time.

Jillian Couto-Phoenix is Head of Skills and Talent at the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). She leads SAIC’s range of career development programmes and works closely with aquaculture professionals, colleges and universities on skills initiatives as well as the development of SAIC’s support for internships, graduates and masters students.

She joined SAIC from the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), where she was a programme manager for the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF) focusing on upskilling and training to meet the industry’s digital transformation, net zero and sustainability skills requirements.

Donald Waring (pictured above, right) is Learning and Development Manager with Mowi Scotland, part of the largest salmon farming group worldwide. He has been in that role from 2019 and, before that, was Head of Learning and Organisational Development with Arvato Financial Solutions.

Mowi Scotland has won a number of awards for training and development, including at the Aquaculture Awards and the Highland Business Awards, and Donald was recognised in the Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) Awards last year as Ally of the Year.

Jeni Adamson, Seafood Scotland (left) and SAIC’s Jillian Couto-Phoenix

Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE (pictured above, left) is Director of Lantra Scotland, the organisation dedicated to promoting skills, training and career opportunities in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental sectors. As Scotland Director, she leads on the all the projects Lantra delivers with and on behalf of its key stakeholders and works with Lantra colleagues to ensure the organisation is sharing its practice and learning from others.

Her background is in science and education, across a wide range of sectors and areas. Her academic background is in Plant Science and Agronomy, but she is also a Chartered Forester, STEM Ambassador, Brownie Leader and Mum.

Jeni Adamson is Industry Engagement Manager with Seafood Scotland, the organisation dedicated to promoting Scotland’s seafood sector and encouraging development with the industry. Her role is to support Seafood Scotland in strengthening relationships with key stakeholders across the entire supply chain of Scottish seafood.

Jeni joined Seafood Scotland after six years working for Lantra, a leading awarding body improving skills and opportunities in the land-based and environment sector, including as engagement lead for aquaculture. With a degree in Marine Biology and a masters in Estuarine & Coastal Science, Jeni has strong industry knowledge.

We’ll be looking at how fish farming and seafood businesses can ensure they continue recruiting successfully in what can be a difficult market for employers looking for the right talent, from sea farming to seafood processing.

The webinar takes place between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Wednesday 21 August. To register for this free event, just click here.