• Project Number – 2010/779
• Start Date – 20th December 2010
• End Date – 20th December 2013
• Principal Investigator – Mr Mark Oliver
• Research Provider – Australian Aquaculture Support Services/University of the Sunshine Coast
• CRC Research End User – All CRC participants

About the Project

The Australian seafood industry relies heavily on a skilled workforce that displays competence in their
abilities to undertake specific work related activities. As the seafood industry evolves, the suite of skills
needed to stay commercially competitive increases both in commercial facilities and indeed research
institutions. From management to new industry entrants, the adoption and utilisation of successful
modern techniques in all sectors is vital for the industries long term growth. Within Australia there are
now benchmark packages available that capture these skills and develop mechanisms that can assist in
disseminating this information as well as training and assessing ones competence within these
techniques. The Seafood Industry Training Package is by far the most relevant package for all sectors of
the seafood industry.

The Seafood Industry Training Package is an integrated set of nationally endorsed competency standards, assessment guidelines and qualifications which encompasses the following industry specific
sectors:

• Fishing
• Aquaculture
• Seafood Processing
• Seafood Sales
• Seafood Distribution
• Compliance

The Seafood CRC research programs have numerous research initiatives that fall within the range of sector areas outlined in the Seafood Industry Training Package. These research initiatives may have been completed or are due for completion within the life of the Seafood CRC. Many of these programs have either modified or developed techniques, practices and procedures that have the potential to greatly enhance the Australian seafood industry. These advances are the cornerstone of the continuous improvement process of the Seafood Industry Training Package. The opportunity exists for Seafood CRC programs to leave a skills based legacy that can be passed on to current and future members of the Australian seafood industry in the form of thoroughly documented specific skill sets, training procedures and assessments.

To have applicable Seafood CRC research outcomes embedded within the Seafood Industry Training Package there will be a highly effective and long term extension strategy. This approach will enhance the capacity of the Seafood CRC in delivering a skills based legacy to the Australian seafood industry.

Project Objectives

1. To analyse and capture relevant new skill sets and techniques developed from all Seafood CRC research programs.
2. To map these skill sets and techniques into the existing suite of units available from the Seafood Industry Training Package.
3. Develop new units of competency and their subsequent elements, performance criteria, range statements, critical aspects of evidence and assessment tools for skill sets and techniques that do not fall into the existing suite of units available from the Seafood Industry Training Package.
4. To develop a seafood skills register for Seafood CRC participants which clearly defines each Institution's skills base.
5. To raise the level of understanding of the Seafood Industry Training Package within Seafood CRC participants.