Contents
Contents
Apprenticeship summary
Overview of the role
Harvest fish and shellfish.
Occupation summary
This occupation is found in individually owned boats with small numbers of crew, up to company owned boats with large crews. They may operate inshore and offshore and use a range of catching methods. They use mobile and static gear, such as trawling, netting, potting and hand lining. Fishers work as part of a team. They may be at sea from a few hours at a time, up to a week. The type of boat, fishery and fishing method and gear being used will affect this.
Fishing is highly regulated and governed by complex fisheries management.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to sustainably harvest fish and shellfish. Fishing methods range from static gears such as shellfish pots through to modern, selective, high-tech trawl equipment. A fisher works as part of a team, both onshore and at sea. They are involved in the entire end-to-end process, through to transporting the catch to market to enable it to be sold. They set up the fishing gear and fit it to a boat and watch-keep on a navigational passage to and from fishing grounds. They deploy and retrieve gear. They may use onboard hydraulics and powered machinery. They catch, process, store and land the fish (or shellfish). Fishers also help look after the sea. They collect data for policy makers. This data informs plans for fishing, catch limits and quotas to ensure stocks remain sustainable. A Fisher adapts and improves processes to improve sustainability. They adapt to seasonal changes and vary their approach to catch different types of fish. They also adapt their approach in response to the sea, tides, and weather conditions.
A Fisher is likely to be involved in maintaining the boat. They can progress to roles such as: experienced deckhand mate, skipper of the boat, onboard marine engineer, onboard chef/ fisher on larger boats, fisheries science/ observer, gear technologist, offshore survey and energy worker. There are also opportunities to become self-employed and a boat owner. This is a rewarding occupation. It involves working outdoors and can be physically demanding.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the skipper, boat owners and crew members and fisheries observers. They may include: Enforcement officers, Port and authorities, Scientists and Safety advisors. Onshore, they may have contact with logistics companies, harbour staff and fish market employees.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for complying with maritime and safety Regulations. They must use personal protective equipment and check that it has been maintained. They are likely to report to a skipper or boat owner. They need to follow instructions and react quickly and positively to feedback. They will work as part of a team, logging details of the catch and reporting them to the skipper or boat owner. This may include the species caught along with estimates of size and weight. This will enable the skipper and boat to comply with regulations and submit live catch data. They will have to solve problems on a daily basis, taking into account changing weather and sea conditions. They will suggest improvements to working practices to increase efficiency, improve safety and ensure sustainability. Extra requirements may be to help new crew members or carry out navigation duties. Any food preparation should be carried out considering basic food hygiene and the cleanliness of the boat should be maintained at all times.
Typical job titles include:
End-point assessment summary
ST0952, Fisher level 2
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
EPA gateway
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
- achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- for the professional discussion, you must submit a portfolio of evidence
- passed any other qualifications listed in the occupational standard
For the fisher, the qualification required is:
Complete basic training approved by any Maritime Administration which is signatory to the Seafarers Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention to achieve: 1 day Seafish Fishermen’s basic sea survival or STCW Personal Survival Techniques (1 day) (STCW A-VI/1)
1 day Seafish Fishermen’s basic firefighting and prevention or 2 day STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention (STCW A-VI/1-2)
1 day Seafish Fishermen’s basic first aid or STCW Elementary First Aid (1 day) (STCW A-VI/1-3)
1 day Seafish basic health and safety covering: know your vessel, understanding roles and responsibilities, maintaining effectiveness, working safely on a fishing vessel, dealing with emergencies.
Certificated 5 day Seafish Navigation and Watchkeeping course
Certificated 5 day Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approved Engine Course Diesel Engine course (AEC 1)
Certificated 1 day Seafish Stability Awareness for Experienced Fishermen course
Certificated 1 day Seafish Advanced Stability Awareness course
Certificated Royal Yacht Association (RYA) GMDSS VHF Short Range Certificate (Radio Operator)
Assessment methods
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 3 hours. They will ask you at least 8 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Who to contact for help or more information
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
Professional recognition
This apprenticeship aligns with An apprentice successfully completing the end-point assessment would be eligible to apply for individual membership of the National Federation of Fisherman’s Organisation (NFFO)
Please contact the professional body for more details.
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