Do you want to work in the outdoors? Do you love the water and environment? If all these apply to you, you might like to consider a career in aquaculture. And one of the best ways to get there is by doing an aquaculture apprenticeship.
What is a career in aquaculture?
A career in aquaculture involves the cultivation and management of aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, for commercial purposes. It is a multidisciplinary field that combines aspects of biology, ecology, business, and environmental management. There are many different roles in this field, including farm hands, boat operators, managers, divers, technicians, biologists, and more.
What skills do I need for a career in aquaculture?
Aquaculturists need an understanding of aquatic organisms, their biology, and management techniques. You’ll need to have good problem solving skills to address challenges related to water quality, disease control, and production efficiency. As part of your job, you’ll probably be expected to operate a variety of machines and equipment. Being adaptable to the changing conditions and regulations of the industry is also very important.
Why should I consider an aquaculture apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door with an employer and start building valuable skills. There are often lots of opportunities to continue working with your employer after your apprenticeship is complete, and even advance your career down the track.
As part of an aquaculture apprenticeship, you will be doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. An aquaculture apprenticeship usually takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.
Here are some qualifications you might want to look into:
- Certificate III in Aquaculture
- Certificate IV in Aquaculture
- Diploma of Aquaculture
- Aquaculture Diver Skill Set
There are tons of benefits to an apprenticeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:
- Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
- The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
- The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
- Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.
Where can I find apprenticeship opportunities?
Just like searching for a job, there are lots of places you can go to find an apprenticeship. You can start your search on sites like SEEK and Indeed. Take a look on social media like Facebook or LinkedIn to see if any local businesses are hiring. Sign up with an Apprenticeship Network Provider or Group Training Organisation, or even go old fashioned and take a look in the local paper or give local businesses a call.
Here are some examples of the kinds of opportunities available in aquaculture:
- Aquaculture Farm Hands, Darwin NT
- Aquaculture Coxswains, Deckhands and Farmhands, Cowell, Whyalla & Eyre Peninsula SA
- Aquaculture Diver, Strahan TAS
- Senior Aquaculture Technician, Riverina NSW
- Senior Research Officer (Finfish Larval Rearing), Adelaide SA
- Aquaculture Farmer, Townsville QLD
- Aquaculture Technician, Exmouth WA