Training Manager

Training Manager

We are looking for a Training Manager to lead Seafish’s support for high-quality, relevant training across the catching and onshore seafood sectors.

Quick overview of the role

• Job status: This is a full-time, permanent role.
• Location: Homebased (UK) or office-based in one of our offices in Edinburgh or Grimsby
• Salary: The starting salary for this role is £41,000 per year.
• Right to work; While we welcome applications from candidates from around the world, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.

Job role, responsibilities and relationships

The main dimensions of the role are:

The Training Manager is responsible for leading Seafish's support for the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of training across both the catching and onshore seafood sectors.

Working closely with industry stakeholders, training providers, regulatory bodies and internal colleagues, the role ensures that training provision remains relevant, accessible, high quality and aligned to industry needs.

The postholder manages the Training Team and oversees the planning, delivery and evaluation of training programmes, qualifications and funded projects that support workforce development, safety, and skills across the seafood sector.

• Leads the development and implementation of training strategies, qualifications, and learning programmes for the seafood industry.
• Ensures effective delivery of fishermen's mandatory and voluntary training and supports the development of onshore workforce training.
• Manages relationships with training providers, instructors, industry representative groups, and regulatory bodies.
• Identifies emerging workforce skills needs and develops solutions to address training gaps and labour shortages.
• Leads training-related projects and funding initiatives, ensuring delivery against agreed outcomes, budgets, and timescales.

Key accountabilities will be:

Operational

• Maintains effective working relationships on fishermen’s training with staff from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
• Maintains effective engagement with the Maritime Skills Alliance in relation to strategic training developments and in supporting/leading funded projects.
• Organises meetings of (and provide the secretariat for) the Fishermen’s Training Advisory Group and report on its work to the Safety Communications Sub-Group of the Fishing Industry Safety Group.
• Organises meetings of (and provide the secretariat for) the Onshore training network quarterly meetings.
• Monitors and maintains an effective network of instructors and training providers for the delivery of both fishermen’s and onshore training.
• Ensure effective and timely administration, record-keeping and reporting of mandatory safety training.
• Develops qualifications, training programmes, and learning materials for fishermen in response to identified needs.
• Develops and refines qualifications, courses, and learning materials for Onshore seafood processors to meet the needs of the industry, as they arise.

Labour Market Intelligence

• Identifies and report on industry training needs and skills shortages.

Project Management

• Identifies, plans, delivers and evaluates projects, ensuring the timely and satisfactory completion of outputs.
• Participates in and lead project teams.

Financial

• Manages projects budgets in line with organisational requirements and within delegated limits of authority.

Developing the Service

• Develops an annual audit plan for our network of approved instructors.
• Develops and implements a programme of trainer training to ensure access to training opportunities.
• Develops and implements plans to maintain/improve the supply of fishermen’s and onshore training.
• Leads the development of onshore courses and support delivery partners in addressing instances of market failure.
• Promotes the availability and benefits of training to fishermen to improve compliance with mandatory requirements and increase the take-up of voluntary training.
• Develops and implements a programme of trainer training to ensure access to training opportunities.

Ensuring Quality of Service

• Evaluates the use of learning materials, qualifications, and training programmes to ensure they are fit for purpose.
• Monitors and evaluates our trainer approval and certification processes and implement improvement initiatives as required.
• Makes recommendations to improve the quality of training provision and develop project plans/ work plans to deliver these.

Collegiate

• Maintains close liaison on training matters with all stakeholders and other relevant organisations to contribute to the provision of a professional service.

Planning and Organising:

• Leads the planning and coordination of multiple training programmes, projects, and service activities simultaneously.
• Develops annual work plans, audit schedules and delivery programmes for instructors and training providers.
• Monitors project milestones, risks, budgets, and performance measures to ensure successful delivery.

Decision making and judgment:

• Assesses training needs and workforce development priorities, identifying effective solutions to address gaps and shortages.
• Evaluates the effectiveness and quality of training provision and determine appropriate improvement actions.
• Makes decisions regarding project delivery, funding eligibility, and resource allocation within delegated authority.
• Interprets and applies regulatory requirements and organisational policies relating to training delivery.
• Addresses issues relating to instructor performance, stakeholder concerns, and training provision capacity.
• Exercises judgement when balancing operational demands, stakeholder expectations, and strategic priorities.
• Escalates significant risks, concerns, or resource issues where appropriate.

Essential working relationships will include:

Internal

• Head of Industry Workforce Issues - strategic direction, performance monitoring, and service development.
• Training Team - delivery of programmes, projects, and operational activities.
• Finance Team - budget monitoring, expenditure management, and funding claims.
• Communications Team - promotion of training opportunities and reporting of programme outcomes.
• Wider Seafish colleagues - collaborative delivery of projects and workforce development initiatives.

External

• Maritime & Coastguard Agency - compliance, training standards, and strategic workforce discussions.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

To be a suitable candidate for this role you should have:

Essential

• Degree-level qualification or recognised professional qualification in training, learning and development, education, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience of developing, managing, and evaluating training programmes or learning initiatives.
• Experience of leading and motivating teams to deliver high-quality services and outcomes.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of collaborating with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of budget management, project planning, and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the seafood, fisheries, or wider maritime sector.
• Experience of working with vocational qualifications, accreditation, or training quality assurance processes.
• Experience of developing and managing externally funded projects.
• Understanding of workforce development, labour market intelligence, and skills planning.

Special features

• Occasional travel throughout the UK is required, including visits to training providers, industry stakeholders, and project partners.
• The role combines strategic workforce development responsibilities with operational delivery and stakeholder management.
• The postholder will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and may be required to represent Seafish at sector meetings, conferences, and industry events.
• The role requires balancing planned programme delivery with emerging industry issues and workforce development priorities.
• The postholder must maintain awareness of developments in training practice, qualification frameworks, and industry workforce requirements.

Salary and benefits

All roles within Seafish are classified and have defined salary bands. This role sits within Job Family C in our pay structure, and the starting salary is at £41,000. A new member’s appointment on the pay structure is dependent on the experience they bring to the role when they start. New candidates normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role.

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – we'll double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.

Application process

To apply for the post, you should email your application to [email protected]. Please include “Training Manager” in the subject line of your email.

Your application should include:

• A covering letter or a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
• A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.
• A completed copy of our recruitment consent form.

The deadline for applications is Monday 19th of October 2026.

While we welcome applications from candidates around the world, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.