Marine / UK Government provides funding boost for Scalloway campus
THE TEAM operating the maritime bridge simulator within the Scalloway campus of UHI Shetland have expressed their gratitude after receiving confirmation that the UK Government will pay almost £140,000 towards its upgrade.
The funding of £138,411 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) was announced on Wednesday.
The money is part of an overall announcement of £3.9 million through the UK Seafood Fund to seven projects across the country.
The investment will contribute towards the overall growth and sustainability of the local seafood sector, according to UHI Shetland vice principal Laura Burden.
The upgraded bridge simulator will cater to the evolving needs of the maritime industry, addressing training standards such as STCW (F), the workboat code, and new routes to limited officer certificates of competency.
It will underpin the move towards paperless bridges and specific requirements of the local industry, UHI Shetland said.
By offering tailored training in these areas, the university aims to bridge the skill gap and reinforce the capabilities of seafarers, ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of the sector.
“The funding from Defra marks a significant milestone for UHI Shetland and underscores our commitment to providing high-quality training for seafarers and aquaculture professionals,” Burden said.
“By reducing the need for initial training in challenging and less accessible locations, such as fishing vessels or fish farms, UHI Shetland will significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime training”, she added.
Fisheries minister Mark Spencer said: “Today’s investment will help to support the industry so that our existing and future workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and facilities to join the sector and benefit from the brilliant opportunities that are available to them with a career in seafood.”
The funding from the UK Seafood Fund also includes £3 million for the Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) to build a Scottish Seafood Centre of Excellence that will replace a temporary training space with a high-quality industry facility in the northeast of Scotland.
The facility will include purpose-built classrooms, technology demonstration spaces and facilities for blended training so trainees around the country can benefit from the facility.
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