Whitby Fishing School – Apprentice of the Year Award – Fishupdate.com

Whitby Fishing School – Apprentice of the Year Award Published:  23 November, 2011

On Friday 18th November the Whitby & District Fishing Industry Training School held its 9th Annual General Meeting and Apprentice of the Year Award.

Craig Fussey, who lives in Cottingham, was awarded the Apprentice of the Year Award.  Mr. Graham Wilkie, of Sunderland Marine Insurance Company kindly attended to present the award to Craig. 

Craig began his training with the fishing school in July 2010 and achieved his full Apprenticeship exactly as planned during June 2011.   He enrolled at the fishing school immediately after leaving school and completing his GCSEs.  He had applied when he was 15 years old and was one of the youngest apprentices ever to be enrolled at the school at the age of 16.

Working steadily through his training, both in the classroom and at sea Craig completed his qualification exactly on time.   Much credit is given to his Skippers, for the invaluable patience, guidance and training which Craig received during his time under the apprenticeship.  This is a wonderful example of the need the school has for the support of skippers and crews in helping apprentices  to qualify.

When Craig achieved his apprenticeship, he had gained not just the one certificate, but others which include Key Skills in English, Maths, Working with Others and Problem Solving, the four Seafish basic safety courses, Care of the Catch, his VHF radio licence and a Vessel Stability Awareness course.  Together with his Apprenticeship certificate a total of 15 in all.  He was also given the full set of oilskins and safety equipment he had used throughout his training. 

During January 2011 Craig completed his Safety Awareness and Risk Assessment course.  This ensured his funding from the Sea Fish Industry Authority to progress to completing further modules – a two-day Engine room Watchkeeping course and a one-day Vessel Stability course. These courses count towards the Under 16.5m Skippers’ qualification, and Craig now has only one further course to complete to qualify for this certificate.

Upon achieving his Apprenticeship, Craig went immediately into full time work for his Skipper Ross Crookes, fishing on the Jubilee Spirit.    The school says it is looking forward to the day Craig becomes the Skipper of his own vessel and feel certain that he will achieve that goal.

‘In fact, for the future, we expect to be looking to Craig to take at least one of our apprentices and offer him the same opportunity that he has been given,’ said a statement from Whitby Fishing School.