A Scottish Sea Farms’ employee has been named Aquaculture Learner of the Year at the LANTRA Scotland Awards 2018.
Alan Tangny, who is based on the Isle of Mull and is undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture through Inverness College UHI, was nominated for the exceptional commitment he has shown both to his on-site and Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) work.
Thirty-year old Tangny came to salmon farming in his late 20's with no previous knowledge of the sector.
“I left school at 16, went straight to university then left again after two weeks. It just wasn’t for me. So, I took a job as a waiter and worked my way up to chef, but once my children came along I was looking for something with more family-friendly hours,” he said.
Tangny applied for a vacancy with Scottish Sea Farms for a husbandry trainee and, on being offered the role, was enrolled on the Modern Apprenticeship. Three years on, he has successfully completed his Level 2 training and was recently promoted to a senior husbandry position with the company. Next on the horizon is his Level 3 training.
“Alan is a great example of how a person can achieve their life goals by embracing the opportunities for advancement opened up by learning and running with it. He has approached the SVQ learning process with the same enthusiasm and ability that he applies to his job. His work in the SVQ has been exemplary, and his rapid progression and achievement in his workplace parallels and is testament to this,” said Martin Sampson, Inverness College UHI lecturer and SVQ assessor.
Jim Gallagher, managing director at Scottish Sea Farms, praised Alan's progress.
“This is a huge win for Alan and for the company," Gallagher said. "Alan represents everything we look for in our team. He’s talented, hardworking and cares passionately about fish health and welfare. If his story inspires more people to consider a career in salmon farming, then it can only be good news for the sector."
