Diving into a seafood career: new programme launches alongside Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors

You're already making a difference, inspiring the next generation within the food & drink sector. Now, amplify your impact.

Jeni Adamson, Industry Engagement Manager at Seafood Scotland

The new Scottish Seafood Ambassador programme offers an exciting opportunity to showcase the dynamic careers within the seafood industry, seamlessly integrating with the existing Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors initiative.

We spoke to Jeni Adamson, Industry Engagement Manager at Seafood Scotland, about the programme which has launched this year, aiming to equip industry professionals with the resources and training needed to highlight the sector's diverse and rewarding career pathways.

Jeni has a wealth of experience talking about careers in food & drink and the land-based sector, having spent seven years delivering ambassador activity herself.

Addressing misconceptions

A key focus of the programme is to combat outdated perceptions of the seafood industry.

“We work hard to dispel the myth that it's cold, smelly and poorly paid," said Jeni.

“Unfortunately, there’s still a historic belief that working in seafood is a fallback option rather than a career of choice. But in reality, it offers a vast range of roles - from fishing and processing to sales and logistics - with excellent pay, opportunities for international travel, and cutting-edge technology.”

As an island nation with an abundance of incredible seafood, Scotland has a unique opportunity to cultivate a thriving industry.

The programme aims to bridge the gap between perception and reality, highlighting the sector's connection to STEM, the challenges of working with nature in all weathers, and the advanced technology used in modern fishing operations.

Sustainability is also a key focus, reinforcing Scotland’s commitment to responsible seafood practices.

“And that’s where we come in to say, ‘look, there's loads of opportunity here: the world really is your oyster!’” said Jeni.

Signing up

The Scottish Seafood Ambassador initiative aligns seamlessly with the goals of the wider Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors programme.

“We encourage individuals to sign up for both schemes," said Jeni.

“We want to foster collaboration across the entire food and drink sector, not only from field to fork but from sea to plate.

“It works both ways. We get to raise the profile of the seafood industry within other sectors, while also allowing everyone to work together on resources and share best practice.

“It also gives us visibility of all the great work that is going on out there to local schools – and giving credit for it. By monitoring activity delivered specifically from the seafood industry, we should be able to identify geographic hotspots and more importantly where the gaps are where we could be doing more to boost the profile of the industry.”

Jeni is keen to emphasise that becoming a Scottish Seafood Ambassador requires no additional administrative burden for potential or existing Food & Drink Ambassadors.

Simply ticking a box within your profile on the STEM Ambassador platform will connect you with both programmes. This dual membership offers a unique opportunity to broaden your impact and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Scotland's food and drink landscape.

The Scottish Seafood Ambassador programme is already off to a promising start.

"We've just started recruiting, and our first webinar attracted 15 participants,” said Jeni.

 “This is a fantastic indication of the enthusiasm within the industry.”

Taking the first step

Jeni's advice to aspiring ambassadors is simple: “Just do it! Feel the fear and do it anyway.

“You can always partner up with someone and ask for tips there.

“A great first step is contacting your local school and asking them what they’re looking for. You can even create your own activity, or even go along and talk to pupils about your own career journey – just be sure to log it through the STEM Ambassador platform!”

 If you’re passionate about inspiring the next generation and promoting Scotland’s seafood industry, joining the Scottish Seafood Ambassador Programme is an easy and impactful way to get involved. Simply tick the box on the STEM Ambassador in Scotland platform, or get in touch with Jeni directly to learn more.