Seafood brings wave of success in West Lothian
In the year of Food and Drink Scotland, College Development Network (CDN) worked with schools, colleges and local businesses to highlight employment opportunities in Scotland’s flourishing food and drink industry. Find out how a trail-blazing project in West Lothian provided a model that is now being replicated in other regions.
As part of the Scottish Seafood Partnership Action Plan, Seafood Scotland partnered with CDN to promote the seafood industry and all its 
facets to young people in senior phase and college. The aim of the Seafood in Colleges project was to showcase some of the exciting and interesting careers available in the seafood sector and its supply chain and the skills required.
Students studying in areas such as science, business, catering, hospitality, engineering or food technology may not be aware of what opportunities are available in this important industry. In the food and drink sector, the seafood industry and its supply chain is second only to whisky in its value to the Scottish economy.
The project included key events in regional colleges for students from science, hospitality, tourism, professional cookery, food manufacturing, food science, lab skills and those on day-release from workplaces being assessed by college Work Based Learning teams. CDN invited local producers to bring the subject to life for the students by speaking at the events to explain the skills and knowledge they require.
Over the past year CDN has been promoting new qualifications available for the food and drink sector – the National Progression Award (NPA) in Food Manufacturing at SCQF Level 6 and the National 5 Skills for Work in Food Manufacturing. These are modern, relevant qualifications covering topics such as:
CDN has partnered with SQA to develop resources to support each of the units within the course, providing tutor support packs, writing e-assessments and signposting relevant materials.
As part of this work CDN worked with West Lothian College in its role as an early adopter of the NPA. Through Labour Market Intelligence, Colin Miller, Head of Essential Skills and Progression at West Lothian College, discovered that over 50 food and drink producers operate in the West Lothian area. Colin used this information to make the connections between industry, college and schools to build an exciting programme which has been beneficial to local producers and young people alike.
He said: ‘West Lothian College is working in partnership with local schools to develop education, training and qualifications for the future. In particular, links with Bathgate Academy are under way where the school will be offering the Level 5 Skills for Work Food and Drink Manufacturing.
‘Successful learners will be able to progress to the Level 6 NPA in Food Manufacture which we are offering at the College. This in turn can then lead to progression to the HNC Food Science and Technology. Further progression to degree courses at university is also planned.
‘The schools and the college are working with local employers to provide practical work experiences for the learners to enhance and contextualise their learning. We are aiming to expand this work with other schools in West Lothian.’
A unique aspect of the work at West Lothian saw the NPA in Food Manufacturing delivered across college departments, including engineering. Aspects of the NPA were also offered to HN engineering students to raise awareness of career opportunities in food technology and food engineering, areas of significant skills shortages. In September 2015 West Lothian College learned that it had achieved STEM-Assured status, awarded by NEF: The Innovation Institute.
In addition the college built a strong relationship with Bathgate Academy through connections with the Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF) and work with senior phase pupils. Through the SFDF Colin also forged a strong partnership with Macrae Edinburgh Ltd, part of the Young’s Seafood group of companies. This led to a host of exciting learning opportunities for the young people, including work placements, guest speakers and apprenticeships.
In October 2014 West Lothian was the first college to host a Seafood in Colleges event, organised in association with CDN and the Scottish Seafood Partnership. The event included cookery and fish preparation demonstrations, presentations on sustainability from seafood specialists, plus tastings. Most importantly, it offered insights on career opportunities and the skills required for young people wanting to join this globally important sector.
Gordon Paterson of George Campbell and Sons said: ‘When West Lothian College asked George Campbell and sons, who have been supplying top quality Scottish seafood for over 140 years to support their Seafood in College event we were delighted to participate.
‘The day was a great success, giving us an opportunity to speak to college staff and students. Since the event we have welcomed parties of staff and students from several colleges to our premises in Perth, where we have given them an insight into where we source our product and let them spend time with our fishmongers to help the students develop their skills.
‘Today’s students are the chefs of the future and George Campbell and sons are committed to doing all we can to safeguard the future of the catering industry.’
Kate Mathieson of CDN said: ‘College students are the workforce of tomorrow and we hope they will spread the word about the possibilities the seafood industry offers, for those studying hospitality and other relevant subjects as they move forward in their careers. This project was ideal for connecting them with industry and growing their understanding of this exciting sector.’
