21st October 2024
South Devon College prides itself on its experienced and highly-qualified teaching staff, who are dedicated to supporting the students and sharing their industry-specific knowledge.
Today we would like to shine a light on one such member of staff who has been instrumental in helping to launch a ground-breaking apprenticeship which will see huge benefits across the marine industry.
Mark Day, Associate Lecturer at the Marine Academy, has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the marine sector and the fishing professions, having forged a career in this field over decades. He is an experienced marine professional in the fields of vessel operation and marine resource management, and is passionate about attracting new workers into the fast-paced and evolving industry.
Here we question Mark on his career move, why he wholeheartedly supported the Fisher Apprenticeship, and his thoughts on the future of the industry.
Mark, what motivated you to become a lecturer at the Marine Academy?
I had been working overseas as a fishing instructor for the British Government for 10 or 15 years. When I returned to the UK, I thought I was going to retire. However, I was approached by South Devon College as it was embarking on a new Fisher Apprenticeship training programme. I got involved because I think it’s essential to attract young people in to the industry.
The average age of fishermen in the UK is over 50, which is not sustainable.
Conditions have improved significantly, with state-of-the-art equipment and better accommodation, making it a viable career choice again.
Why is being a Fisher a good career choice?
There are a lot of reasons. The main one for me when I joined was the sense of freedom.
No day at sea is ever the same as the next. It’s a unique profession in that respect. It’s also more regulated now, with clear progression routes and substantial earnings.
How did you get into the industry?
I first went to sea with my father when I was 14. I went to university in the States in 1973 to study commercial fisheries and marine technology, before returning to the family fishing business in Brixham. My father was an original investor in Brixham Trawler Agents.
I fished in Brixham until 1982, then worked overseas as a Fisheries Officer.
I returned to the UK in the mid-2000s and ran my own fishing vessel in Brixham. After decommissioning, I moved into offshore construction, retired in 2017, but then got involved in the Fisher Apprenticeship.
Associate Lecturer Mark Day
Do you think it’s important for students on the course to learn from somebody who has done the job themselves?
I think it’s very important. It’s a profession that can’t be taught from a book, due to the physical and practical skills involved.
You need to learn from someone who has done it, and the good thing is that all our lecturers at South Devon are experienced fishermen.
What are the expectations of the youngsters when they first join the course?
For the ones that aren’t connected to the industry through family, they might think it’s a nice career without understanding the harsh realities like early mornings and rough conditions. That’s a learning curve. The sea isn’t for everyone.
Let’s get down to the course itself. So, it’s an apprenticeship. How does it work?
It’s an 18-month apprenticeship. The students spend 14 (??) weeks with us, split into mainly two-week sessions with gaps of three weeks to two months at sea for practical experience. This time at sea ensures the reality meets their expectations.
Are they guaranteed a job afterwards?
They are almost guaranteed a job due to a severe crew shortage in the industry – there is a skills gap. Any apprentice who finishes the course will likely be offered a job by their employer or, if not, by another vessel or company.
What is one of the biggest challenges in teaching the apprentices?
I think the biggest challenge is trying to put it in terms they can understand. It gets better once they’ve been at sea. Obviously, then they can relate to the concepts I introduced them to early on. Now they know exactly what we’re talking about and they can see a clear path for themselves.
So do they learn about net work?
It’s one of the base skills of being a good fisher. We teach them how different types of fishing nets are put together and how to repair them. Most of them can now repair a small hole and are understanding how nets are constructed properly.
How important is it to understand how a radio works?
It’s very important. If something happens, they need to be able to communicate correctly and make a distress call if necessary. We prepare them for the worst possible scenario.
What does the Powerboat Level Two involve?
We decided to give the apprentices as much as we could outside of the apprenticeship criteria, and we collaborated with local industry in designing the provision needed. We heard that quite a few of the local boats have moorings so they go out on a smaller boat to reach the fishing vessel. So it’s important for them to understand the use of a small boat.
Plus larger boats can carry smaller rescue vessels, so the Powerboat Level Two gives them the capability of driving the rescue vessel.
Each boat is different, and the sea conditions always change. They need to know how the vessel reacts to different actions.
Do you think the students understand how important the safety aspect is?
Yes, we emphasise it from the start. So, we do as much as we possibly can to prepare them for the worst-case scenario. Fishing is dangerous, and they need to be responsible for their own health and safety. And we explain the dangers of all the different fishing operations we run through, the skills and the drills they need to do to be able to operate a vessel safely.
Where do you see the future of the fishing industry if apprenticeships like this didn’t exist?
It will become very difficult. Programmes like this are vital for the industry’s future, ensuring a steady flow of young people moving into the sector for it to be vibrant and for it to continue.
Is this the only course like this in the country?
Yes, there’s one similar programme in Scotland, but it’s slightly different. There are also short three-week courses to get people to sea quickly.
Can you talk us through the facilities at the Marine Academy?
The college is very progressive and moves forward with the times as quickly as possible. We have extensive engineering facilities and we can retrain people in various-sized engines.
We also have a state-of-the-art chart room and classroom, plus a hi-tech marine simulator under construction which will allow us to simulate how vessels react to different conditions at sea.
We are committed to moving forward and placing ourselves at the forefront of the technology involved in the training, which is essential for the future of the industry.
We are a Seafish-approved training provider and we also offer upskilling for existing fishers, including refresher courses in firefighting, sea survival and stability.
We have a close working relationship with Brixham Trawler Agents – they were one of the initial sponsors and provided safety gear for the apprentices, including oilskins. They have been on board from the beginning.
What is the future of the apprenticeship?
The success of the first year is going to be built on – our second cohort starts in September and our working relationship with employers is strengthening all the time. The course is now generating interest at all levels and from all around the UK coast.
What’s the most rewarding thing about training the next generation of fishers?
There’s a very clear correlation between a good base education in fishing and your future progression, and seeing the desire in the apprentice’s eyes when they realise the potential is very rewarding.
The industry has changed over the years – we now have more companies involved, and it’s not so reliant on family and friends funneling into a generational career.
The big thing for our students is the transition from school to taking on education where they can see the end point and the potential results for them and their future. It’s an honour to pass on the knowledge that was given to me, ensuring the industry’s future.
If you’re interested in getting into the fishing industry, please look at our Seafish-accredited Level 2 course Introduction to Commercial Fishing – South Devon College