Former chef finds recipe for fish farming success

And now 30-year old Alan Tangny, who is based on the Isle of Mull and is undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture through Inverness College UHI, has set his sights of a site manager’s job.

Tangny, who spent 10 years as a chef before joining SSF three years ago, was nominated for the exceptional commitment shown both to his on-site and Scottish Vocational Qualification work.

He said: “I left school at 16, went straight to university then left again after two weeks. It just wasn’t for me. So, I took a job as a waiter and worked my way up to chef, but once my children came along I was looking for something with more family-friendly hours.”

Tangny applied for a vacancy with Scottish Sea Farms for a husbandry trainee and, on being offered the role, was enrolled on the Modern Apprenticeship. Three years on, he has successfully completed his Level 2 training, and has recently been promoted to a senior husbandry position with the company. But he doesn’t intend to stop there. He said: “My manager’s just left at Bloody Bay and I am aiming for his job.”

Tangny loves working outdoors, and his working hours. “I get home at a decent time every day,” he said. “At the hotel I was working until 10pm. We have young children and it’s good to get home before they go to bed.”

‘Great example’

Martin Sampson, Inverness College UHI lecturer and SVQ assessor, said: “Alan is a great example of how a person can achieve their life goals by embracing the opportunities for advancement opened up by learning and running with it. He has approached the SVQ learning process with the same enthusiasm and ability that he applies to his job. His work in the SVQ has been exemplary, and his rapid progression and achievement in his workplace parallels and is testament to this.”

Tangny attributes his success to the support offered by Scottish Sea Farms. “At a company level, they invest a lot in training and development – there’s real potential for career progression. At a farm level, the team have been every bit as supportive, giving their time and sharing their considerable experience. As someone who lives on Mull, as well as works here, it has been great to learn first-hand how much Scottish Sea Farms do both to protect the salmon in their care and the surrounding environment.”

Next on the horizon for Tangny is Level 3 – once he finishes building his own house on Mull, that is.

‘Huge win for the company’

SSF managing director Jim Gallagher said: “This is a huge win for Alan and for the company. Alan represents everything we look for in our team. He’s talented, hard-working and cares passionately about fish health and welfare. If his story inspires more people to consider a career in salmon farming, then it can only be good news for the sector.”

Marine Harvest employee Scott Forder, 26, also came away with a trophy during the awards ceremony at the Dunblane Hydro hotel.

Forder, who works at MH Scotland’s Torridon site and is also doing a Modern Apprenticeship through Inverness College UHI, was runner-up.