Chefs, fishermen and anyone else involved in the region's fishing industry will be taught specialist skills thanks to new funding.
It's hoped the money secured by Newlyn-based Seafood Cornwall Training will provide a major boost to the shore-based seafood sector across Cornwall and the rest of the South West.
The organisation has secured £26,650 from South West Food & Drink (SWFD) to train students in fish filleting, fishmongery and seafood quality.
The training is open to anyone involved in the South West's fishing industry.
Programmes on offer are An Introduction to Fish Mongering; Fish Filleting; Seafood Quality Assessment and Advanced Seafood Quality Assessment.
All courses will be certified by Seafish and led by Seafish-approved instructors.
They will be a delivered across Cornwall, Devon and Dorset from next month until August 2011.
Anyone based in the region who is involved in catching, preparing, processing, marketing, selling or distributing fish will be able to access training at 50 per cent of the normal cost.
Sarah Crosbie, manager of Seafood Cornwall Training, said: "Given the importance and scale of the seafood industry to the South West in terms of employment, skills and output, it is essential that everyone involved in the supply chain, from the catcher to the chef, has access to local, specialist training, in order to bring the industry in line with the land-based component of the food and drink sector."
Simon Mallet, regional skills manager for South West Food & Drink, said: "The courses will enable the seafood industry workforce to add real value to their product through improved skills – not additional outlay on capital equipment or labour.
"In difficult times for businesses improved skills represent a cost-effective method of improving productivity."
Annie Sibert, Seafood Skills program leader for Seafood Cornwall Training, said: "I would recommend these courses to anyone wishing to enhance and develop their skills; we can work with complete beginners as well those wishing to diversify or add value to their business."
The four courses on offer can be completed independently or as a block.
For further information about the course dates, cost of courses and further details contact Sarah Crosbie on 01736 364324 or visit www.seafoodcornwalltraining.co.uk.
article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS