There is a ‘sleeping giant’ of employment on the waves explains Don Mitchell, who has spent three years designing the seamanship courses to tap into that potential. Argyll and Bute boasts 23 inhabited islands - more than any other Scottish local authority - and 96.5 per cent of its population living within 10km of the coast.
Mr Mitchell, Head of Curriculum for Maritime, Sport and Creative Industries at Argyll College UHI, said: ‘Argyll has a rich and diverse sea based heritage, and a thriving community of businesses afloat. We have a growing sector locally that requires suitably qualified workers to support development in the marine tourism, fish farming and aquaculture industries, and supply a workforce with the skill-set and knowledge to work safely out on the water.
‘We also recognize that the maritime sector is a global market that is growing with seaborne trade predicted to double by 2030. Students on our new Maritime Skills and RYA courses will gain a set of industry recognized qualifications which will assist them in following the seafaring route as a vocational journey, or simply learn how to be safe on the water for leisure boating pursuits.’