PROJECTS

FIRST NATIONS SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE TRAINING STRATEGY

The mission of the First Nation Shellfish Aquaculture Training St rategy is to facilitate the development of highly skilled and innovative people and to empower First Nations and coastal communities to create a sustainable and competitive BC shellfish aquaculture industry. This project represents a significant undertaking and will effectively create an entire shellfish aquaculture industry training system.

The project was initiated by the Centre for Shellfish Research and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Program at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo, British Columbia. It has involved a large network of academic and industry-related collaboration. It is designed to provide:

• Comprehensive shellfish aquaculture training program(s) targeted to various industry occupations and sectors.
• Recognized and experienced training instructors delivering standardized training courses.
• Post-secondary institutional accreditation, transferability and laddering.
• Training delivery in communities or institutions using the most effective and appropriate methods and technology.

The project team worked extensively with Malaspina faculty members to develop an appropriate framework for designing and developing specific training courses that would best serve the needs of First Nation and other regional coastal communities. This was accomplished through several key initiatives.

• Extensive consultation with communities and stakeholders.
• Assessment and integration of a wide range of existing shellfish industry training components.
• Analysis of the industry and occupational structure and identifying required knowledge and skill sets.
• Development of a comprehensive series of training courses.