Seafood Training Scheme

This scheme is designed to create a talent pool for industry by developing skills and knowledge in line with EMFAF priorities.

This scheme is open to eligible individuals who wish to attend Recognised Training and Educational Courses.

For the purposes of this scheme “Recognised Training and Educational Courses” means courses provided via BIM, or by educational or training providers recognised by BIM as having the necessary competence to deliver courses which result in the same qualifications as those provided by BIM.

Current Call under the EMFAF Operational Programme 2020 -2027

Opening Date:

07 January 2024

Closing Date for Receipt of Applications:

Open Call

Budget Available for This Call

TBC

EMFAF Specific Objectives

1.1 Strengthening Economically, Socially and Environmentally Sustainable Fishing Activities.
2.1 Promoting sustainable aquaculture activities, especially strengthening the competitiveness of aquaculture production, while ensuring that the activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term.
2.2 Promoting marketing, quality and added value of fisheries and aquaculture products, as well as processing of those products

Geographical Area Covered

Republic of Ireland

Eligible Applicants

This scheme is open to individuals who are:

• new entrants to the Irish seafood sector

Please Note: New entrants are required to have an offer of employment or to intend to start a business in the Irish seafood industry

Or

• currently employed within the sector and wish to upskill.

(Note that all grants under this scheme will be paid directly to the student undertaking the training, and not to their employer. This is in order to allow students to claim subsistence payments to which they may be entitled.)

Eligible and Ineligible Expenditure

Overview of eligible courses, eligible costs, etc, can be found here: Seafood Training Scheme – eligibility & grant calculations

Eligible expenditure

• Course fees charged by course providers for participation in Recognised Training and Educational Courses.
• Subsistence costs are pre-defined per course (in line with public service rates).
  • Subsistence costs only apply to training days which require in-person attendance, and in fixed locations.
    • For clarity, subsistence costs do not apply to courses provided through BIM’s Coastal Training Units (CTUs) since these mobile units travel to coastal locations to provide training close to students home or work.
  • If a student does not attend all days of a course (verified by BIM attendance records, or by a formed signed by any other training provider), the subsistence grant aid will be reduced accordingly.
  • In line with public service rules, overnight rates only apply if a student lives at least 100km from the training location. Those living less than 100km from the training location will be entitled to the day rate. Those living within 8km of the training location will not be entitled to subsistence.

Ineligible Expenditure

• Exam fees.
• Course fees and exam fees for any repeats or resits.
• Any travel and subsistence costs outside those specified above.
• Subsistence costs for exam days, since exams can be taken in various locations.

Amounts Granted