Fishing Safety: Training Group Since 2001 European Union and UK Government grant funding has been applied to safety training measures designed to raise safety awareness in the fishing industry and contribute to the development of a positive safety culture. To sustain and enhance this initiative, further training modules have been developed by the Group and the MCA has updated mandatory basic training requirements. The MCA has consulted with industry on changes proposed by the Group to the manning, training and certification requirements of the fishing industry. The MCA is committed to revising the Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) Regulations 1984 to incorporate later amendments and reflect the current needs of the industry. Terms of Reference The Fishermen’s Training Advisory Group (the “Group”) will comprise representatives from the fish catching sector, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, training providers and other co-opted individuals who can make a significant contribution to the development and delivery of training for the UK fish catching sector. An industry representative will be elected by the core membership (see below) to chair the Group. The Group’s Chair will report to Seafish’s Training Advisory Committee on the work of the Group and its recommendations for future training development activities. Membership of the Group will be agreed between the Chair, Seafish staff and the Chair of Seafish’s Training Advisory Committee. Core membership of the Group will comprise: 4 representatives from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation 4 representatives from the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations 1 representative from the Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation 1 represaentative from the Welsh Federation of Fishermans Associations 1 representative from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency 1 representative from the International Association of Maritime Institutions 1 representative from the industry-led Group Training Association network The Group will meet four times a year and operate under the following terms of reference: 1. To advise on issues within the fish catching sector that might impact upon training and development needs. 2. To advise on the development and implementation of standards, vocational qualifications, training programmes and associated learning materials for the fish catching sector. 3. To act as a steering committee for training and development projects for the fish catching sector. 4. To recommend future training and development activities to Seafish’s Training Advisory Committee. 5. To recommend actions which improve the quality and availability of training provision for the fish catching sector. 6. To consider, develop and implement Fishing Industry Safety Group recommendations on safety training standards for the fish catching sector. Background The Group will work to encourage fishermen to undertake the training necessary to engender a safety culture and reduce the accident rate within the industry. An essential part of this is compliance with the legal requirements for certification and in this respect the MCA will renew its efforts in checking that fishermen are complying with the regulations. This includes Certificates of Competency (COCs), Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CECs) and Fishermen’s Basic Safety Training Certificates. The Group will consider alignment with the requirements of STCW-F and explore opportunities for harmonising fishermen’s training regulations with those required in other Codes. Group Representatives This Group includes representatives from the Fishing Industry (Fishermen’s Federations), the International Association of Marine Institutes (IAMI), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Group Training Associations (GTAs) and the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish). Chairman and Secretariat Details Group Chair -George MacRae (Scottish Fishermens Federation) (01224 582583 Secretariat – Seafish - Keir Day (01482 327837) Date of Meetings
Training Group Strategy
|