Developing a bespoke qualification for Bakkafrost Feed Technicians

UHI Argyll’s Modern Apprenticeship team—bringing together Aquaculture Assessors, the Apprenticeship Manager and the MA Support Officer—recently met with Bakkafrost’s Feed Technician management to explore how the college could best support skills development within this specialist role. 

Drawing on their expertise in both aquaculture and business administration, the team, in collaboration with Bakkafrost staff, identified an exciting opportunity to create a fully bespoke, UHI Argyll–certificated programme tailored specifically to the needs of Bakkafrost’s workforce.

This new hybrid qualification combines carefully selected units from established work‑based aquaculture and business administration awards, ensuring technical relevance while also strengthening broader organisational and professional skills. A small pilot group of Bakkafrost Feed Technicians is already undertaking the programme, and their insights will play a central role in shaping and refining the final course design.

This work comes at a crucial time, as the new Diploma in Aquaculture at SCQF Level 5 no longer aligns  with the progression requirements set out in Bakkafrost’s Competency Framework for Feed Technicians. Seeking an alternative route that would both recognise the technical expertise of Feed Technicians and support their professional development, Bakkafrost turned to UHI Argyll’s MA team for assistance.

Early discussions highlighted the Modern Apprenticeship/SVQ in Business Administration as a potential option, based on job role analysis. However, both partners recognised the importance of maintaining a strong link to the aquaculture sector to ensure the qualification remained meaningful and engaging for staff. This shared ambition led to the development of the new blended, industry‑aligned course—now being tested, refined, and shaped through the ongoing pilot led by UHI Argyll’s dedicated MA team.

To explore how this tailored route could support your feed technicians or to register interest in any MA framework, get in touch with UHI Argyll’s Modern Apprenticeship team at acapprenticeships@uhi.ac.uk