Training

Empowering Women Through Training Opportunities

We believe that access to training and development is key to empowering women across every sector of the fishing industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your expertise, this page connects you with essential training opportunities tailored to our community.

We’ve compiled a list of available industry training programs, we will try to cover everything from safety and sustainability to skills enhancement and business management.

In the future, UK WIF also aims to host our own training sessions, created with women in fisheries in mind, offering practical tools and resources to help you succeed.

Explore the opportunities below and check back regularly for updates on upcoming training events.

  • The Seafarers Hospital Society in association with SeaFit and The Fishermen’s Mission have a number of Free Defibrillators available which come with relevant training of their operation.

    The Seafarers Hospital Society (via SeaFit) is offering a fantastic opportunity for fishing crews: FREE defibrillators and first aid kits for vessels with a skipper and at least two crew members on board!

    Here’s what’s included:
    ✨ A top-of-the-line defibrillator and first aid kit.
    ✨ Free training on defibrillator use (it’s simple and effective!).
    ✨ Support for five years, including replacement batteries and pads.

    The only requirement? Commit to completing the free training and doing quick monthly checks on the equipment to ensure it’s always ready to use.

    💡 Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. Having a defibrillator on board could save a life—don’t miss out on this vital initiative!

    📩 To apply, contact Sandra Welch:
    Email: admin@seahospital.org.uk
    Phone: 07392 998964

    Read more about the project Here

  • Facilitated by Seafish :https://www.seafish.org/safety-and-training/onshore-training/onshore-training-courses/food-hygiene-training-courses/elementary-food-hygiene-online/

    Across the UK, thousands of individuals within the seafood industry have completed one of our Elementary Food Hygiene programmes to achieve a food safety qualification. By completing this online course, individuals and businesses benefit. A food hygiene qualification should be important to you, your manager, customers and others. 

    Key Features

    • A nationally recognised and accredited qualification.

    • Qualification awarded by Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS)

    • Qualification will satisfy legal requirements for food handler training.

    • Elementary level qualifications are suitable for the majority of operatives, team leaders, supervisors and some managers in the seafood industry.

    • Our online study materials and exams are available in English, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese and Welsh.

    • Most people take between 5-10 hours to study the online materials and videos to become exam-ready.

    • The invigilated remote exam is via Zoom from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

    • Study materials and remote exam fee is currently fully funded for seafood workers. 

    Flexible learning

    • Study at your own pace.

    • Choose when and where you study with access to online materials 24/7. 

    • The online materials are presented as a series of individual chapters.

    • Test your knowledge with the end of chapter self assessment questions.

    • Track your progress with the online learning log.

    • Take practice exams online until you are ready to sit the exam.

    • When you are ready, contact us to arrange your free invigilated exam.

    Course content

    The course modules are available to download as PDFs from the external https://www.seafish.org/safety-and-training/onshore-training/onshore-training-courses/food-hygiene-training-courses/elementary-food-hygiene-online/

    To access the materials in Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese and Welsh, please contact our onshore training team by email at onshore@seafish.co.uk.

    Requirements to access study materials and exam

    • You will need an internet connection to access the materials and the remote exam.

    • You will need a device with a webcam and microphone for the remote exam.

    Exam fee

    The exam is free for UK-based seafood workers and is funded by Seafish. For non-seafood workers, or people based outside the UK, the cost of the exam is £35.

    How to book an exam

    On completion of the study materials, the next step is to book an exam. Individuals should only book an exam when ready to do so. To book an exam, please contact our Onshore Training team by following the link below. 

    Qualification awarded by REHIS

    • On successful completion of passing the 30-question multiple choice supervised exam, students are awarded a qualification by REHIS. 

    • The Elementary Food Hygiene qualification is equivalent to a Level 2 Food Safety certificate and is recognised internationally.

    Further information

    For further information about the course, please email onshore@seafish.co.uk or contact one of our onshore approved training providers. 

    Achievement of this qualification allows you to undertake the Elementary Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) by eLearning programme.

  • On Tuesday, 25th February, UK Women in Fisheries (UKWIF) hosted a training webinar, streamed live on YouTube, and drawing attendees from across and beyond the UKWIF network. The session focused on the critical topic of risk assessments, covering their purpose, how to conduct them effectively, and the vital role they play in keeping us all safe.

    Charles Blyth from the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO)  and Lynn Reid from MacDuff Shellfish led the webinar, sharing their extensive industry expertise.  Lynn, highly respected with her wealth of experience, provided real-world insights into the practicalities of risk assessments at sea, while Charles taught attendees how to conduct a Risk Assessment and what they should cover.

    The session encouraged audience engagement, with participants submitting questions in advance and during the webinar via the YouTube comments and covered topics like understanding how to risk assess an in-person event, or how to get risk assessments respected by reluctant crew.

    Participants gained practical knowledge on creating and implementing effective risk assessments tailored to various roles within the fishing industry, from boats to processing and administrative tasks. 

    We also learned about the potential consequences of neglecting risk assessments, including increased hazards and potential legal consequences. Charles was able to provide some shocking yet insightful photos from his role at the NFFO. The webinar underscored that a proactive approach to safety not only protects everyone but also elevates the reputation of the seafood sector.

    Unlike other webinars, this webinar was open to all, not just UKWIF members, and we saw strong participation from a diverse audience eager to learn and stay compliant on all things safety.

    Thank you to Charles and Lynn for generously donating their time and expertise to empower the fishing community.

    UK WIF is currently approaching the end of a 6 month funded period by The Seafarers’ Charity, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and FASS Funding. WIthout this financial support, none of this would be possible. 

    For those who missed the live session, the webinar remains available for viewing on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/live/TXD8OL0BOaM?si=1QXKP-0AyFqofs3E

  • A remote course that may allow shellfish producers to collect shellfish and water samples for Local Authorities, with an agreement in place.

    As part of the change in regulatory approach by the Food Standards Agency in 2022, Local Authorities may now allow shellfish producers to collect shellfish and water samples, providing producers have undergone training and an agreement is in place between the two parties.

    This training course shows food business operators and Local Authorities how to collect, process and transport shellfish samples for official controls purposes in accordance with Official Controls Guidance and our informal Occupational Standard.

    Key Features

    • This course is suitable for operators of depuration centres and similar shellfish businesses. Staff from Local Authorities such as Environmental Health Officers may also benefit from attending. 

    • Learners who actively participate will receive a Seafish attendance certificate.

    Information about the course

    • It is a half-day training course delivered via Microsoft Teams.

    Course content

    The course focuses on seven areas:

    • The purpose of official control samples

    • The need for consistency in the sampling methodology

    • The collection of the samples

    • The storage of the samples

    • The dispatch or transportation of samples

    • The collecting, recording and validating of appropriate information

    • The impact that other events can have on sampling and how to record and report these.

    Course costs

    This course costs £200 (no VAT) per person to attend. 50% funding is currently available to qualifying seafood businesses for remotely delivered online courses.

    Pre-requisites to study this course

    There is no formal pre-requisite, but it is advised that an agreement in principle from the Local Authority for industry sampling to occur should be sought before booking a place on the training course.

    Attendees may also benefit from completing a Bivalve Purification training course prior to attending this course.

    Further information and to book a place on the course

    For further information or to book a place on the course, please email the Onshore Training team: onshore@seafish.co.uk.

  • These Wellness at Sea Courses are a fantastic resource from our wonderful partners at The Sailors’ Society

    These online modules are designed to help those working at sea take care of their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

    You may find that the content is more suited to people who work in shipping, but we found the content is relevant to all seafarers. We especially recommend starting with the first three modules—Personal Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing, and Emotional Wellbeing—as they offer a strong foundation. If you'd like to earn a certificate, you'll need to complete all the modules, but each one is valuable on its own, self-paced and totally free!

    The Sailors Society also have more free support available