Skills Development Agency co-organizes Global Fishery Forum
More than 100 international speakers and more than 2 thousand delegates from 40 countries took part in the annual event held from September 21 to September 23 in St. Petersburg. The forum attendees discussed the socio-economic and political issues related to the strengthening of Russia’s multilateral cooperation with foreign partners in terms of developing the skills development system in the fisheries industry.
Skills Development Agency presented its panel session called Fishery Complex Competencies International Development at the conference program of the forum. The session focused on the role of international standards and technologies in the development of the fisheries industry, as well as on the exchange of best practices for systemic skills development in the countries.
Andrei Mikhalevich, Head of Economy and Investment Department, Federal Agency for Fisheries, noted that a significant amount of investments is now entering the fisheries industry, which contributes to the development of many areas in the industry and an increase in the need for highly qualified personnel. “We need young and trained professionals with strong core skills who will be able to quickly engage in the production processes.”
The event was attended by foreign guests from nine countries: Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ghana, India, China, Mauritius, Thailand, and South Africa. That is why the event was the start of the training and international competition events, as well as the introduction of practice-oriented programs with international expertise into the training system.
“The most important thing for the development of the industry is efficient production, including the employees and their skill level, as well as the equipment they operate. Such development is impossible without international partnership. A cycle for developing standards usually takes several years. We understand that the fisheries industry is actively developing: new technologies and cooperation chains are emerging. Short, flexible and fast-paced training programs are needed. The activities of the Agency are aimed at the preparation of such programs through joint research activities with the countries, development of standards and their testing at competition events modelling the production,” Alina Doskanova, Deputy General Director for International Activities, Skills Development Agency, said during the session.
Dr. Liu Zhenying, Chairman, International Alliance of Skills Development for Belt & Road and BRICS Countries (PRC), said that systematic work on skills development, also in the fisheries sector, has been carried out for several years together with Russia and BRICS member states: “We pay special attention to introduction of innovations in this industry. For example, we use artificial intelligence and big data to develop industry-critical technical skills. Joint activities with the countries will enable international and technological exchange in this field and introduction of the concept of intelligent fish farming using modern technologies.” Chinese counterparts also presented their report on smart technologies for fisheries.
The Agency held its competition for three skills of the fisheries sector at the forum: aquaculture, fish and seafood processing, and coastal fishing. They were developed in Russia with the support of the Agency. The purpose of the industry competition is to update the mechanisms of staffing of the fisheries industry on the basis of international standards. The industry competition contributes to the career guidance of young people, attracting young professionals to production and creating proper conditions for professional development of employees, leveling up the corporate prestige in Russia and across the world, as well as greater involvement of business in the industry-wide training processes.
Yulia Aldushina, Director, Operations Support Center, Scientific and Methodological Council on Fisheries, Federal Educational and Methodological Association in the Higher Education System, said that a skilled aquaculture professional should ensure proper biotechnical processes of artificial cultivation in a modern high-tech aquaculture. Such professionals are very much in demand by fish farms, production shops, as well as by sea and lake cage culture fisheries.
A skill in coastal fishing is aimed at the organization and performance of operations on a fishing vessel. “A competent professional in coastal fishing is a person who has practical skills to professionally develop and operate trawls, the fishing gear,” Alexander Nedostup, Vice Rector for Sectoral Scientific and Methodological Activities, Head of Industrial Fishing Department, Kaliningrad State Technical University (FSBEI of Higher Education), said.
“A skill in fish and seafood processing includes several directions: production of food-grade and technical products, semi-finished products for medical products and fodder products. Such a wide field of knowledge implies proper knowledge of chemistry, biology, and technology. The level of qualification must be high. We can see nowadays that fish consumption in the country is growing, and we need properly trained personnel to work in production,” Inna Titova, Head of Food Technology Department, Kaliningrad State Technical University (FSBEI of Higher Education), said.
The competition prizes were awarded to:
Cultivation of Fish Stocking Material and Commercial Fish
Gold: Maria Garkavaya, Leningrad Region, Pervyy Rybokombinat LLC;
Silver: Alexander Nikolenko, Krasnodar Territory, Yenisey Branch of Glavrybvod FSBI;
Bronze: Daniil Bogachev, Leningrad Region, Akvaferma LLC.
Fish and Seafood Processing
Gold: Olga Chernega, Kaliningrad Region, Kaliningrad State Technical University (FSBEI of Higher Education);
Gold: Dinara Khanova, St. Petersburg, TD Baltiiskiy Bereg;
Bronze: Marina Alshevskaya, Kaliningrad Region, Kaliningrad State Technical University (FSBEI of Higher Education).
Industrial Fishing
Gold: Marina Gerasimova, Kaliningrad Region, Fishering Service LLC;
Silver: Dmitry Nikiforov, St. Petersburg;
Bronze: Andrei Goryachy, St. Petersburg.
Commercial navigation
Gold: Vitaly Svyatsky, Kerch, LLC MK Trans-Service;
Silver: Marat Mukhamedov, Kaliningrad, ZAO KRK Rybflot-FOR;
Bronze: Dana Isupova, St. Petersburg, JSC Big Port of St. Petersburg.