There’s Plenty of Fish in the Sea…or Are There?
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) share their knowledge with students of Colaiste Gleann Lí, Tralee.
The SFPA established their first link with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) this year. They partnered with Colaiste Gleann Lí, Tralee and pulled out all the stops to ensure the students enjoyed and learned from the programme. Staff brought fresh fish, fishing equipment and even a boat to the school to give students an insight into their work. The focus being to highlight the importance of sustainability and of maintaining quality fish stocks as well as the range of careers within the industry. Students visited the IMERC in Cork, Ocean World in Dingle and two fish processing plants, LME Killorglin and Glenbeigh Shellfish where they met company employees to discuss their roles. As part of the programme, students were also advised on CV/interview preparation and were interviewed individually to assess their interview skills.
Based in Clonakilty, County Cork, the SFPA has a number of offices in the major ports around the coast, at Killybegs, Ros a’ Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth. Their staff are committed to supporting a sustainable and profitable commercial fishing sector in Ireland, while protecting and conserving fisheries resources long term.
Susan Steele, Chair of the SFPA said: “The Skills @ Work Programme gives our employees the opportunity to support a local school by providing students with this unique and practical insight into careers in the fishing/sea food industry that they might not have considered before. We have been presented with a wonderful opportunity to not only develop our own personnel through the mentorship aspect of the partnership with Business in the Community Ireland but also to make a valuable contribution to our local communities. It is our pleasure to be associated with Business in the Community Ireland and to be part of this innovative programme.”
Well done to all the staff of the SFPA for delivering such a diverse and interesting programme which exceeded expectations and was hugely beneficial to the students of Colaiste Gleann Lí.
