New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) is celebrating six team members, who recently received NZQA-approved qualifications in aquaculture diving, provided by Primary Industry Training Organisation (Primary ITO).
Image: Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor (centre) with NZKS team members (left to right): Mark Preece, Salvador Delgado, Dan Frost, Chris Pearce, Simon Berkelmans, Ben Morton, Tiarnan Browne, Gordon Gray.
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor joined the NZKS team at the company’s Te Pangu sea farm in Tory Channel last week, where she presented the new graduates with their certificates.
NZKS divers have been involved in two main programmes through Primary ITO. Tiarnan Browne and Dan Frost completed the 20-month NZ Apprenticeship in Aquaculture (Finfish and Aquaculture Diving). Tiarnan and Dan were among the first in New Zealand to complete this apprenticeship.
Simon Berkelmans, Chris Pearce, Gordon Gray and Ben Morton graduated from the 12-month Level 4 NZ Certificate in Aquaculture (Aquaculture Diving).
NZKS Seafarm Manager Mark Preece says the company has approximately 30 active divers at any one time.
“Diving is an important role on our sea farms, helping us to maintain the structural integrity of our farms through net and mooring maintenance, as well as observing fish behaviour to ensure we keep our King salmon safe,” says Mark.
“This training programme means aquaculture divers have practical, appropriate New Zealand-based training, to be able to conduct their work safely and effectively in New Zealand sea conditions.
“We’re grateful to Primary ITO for facilitating this programme, which not only offers a formal qualification to our employees and the opportunity to upskill but also provides them with the practical skills and confidence to take on the day-to-day challenges of their roles.”
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor commended NZKS for providing opportunities for team members to upskill, through practical, on-the-job training.
“It was a privilege to join the New Zealand King Salmon team at their Te Pangu sea farm last week, and congratulate team members on their new qualifications,” says Nadine.
“I acknowledge the company’s commitment to investing in their people, and championing opportunities for ongoing professional development, through formal qualifications in the Marlborough region.”
The diving certifications were developed through a collaboration of the New Zealand dive industry, Seafood Industry Training Organisation (now incorporated in Primary ITO) and Occupational Safety & Health (OSH – now Worksafe). The programme is recognised by Worksafe as a formal training for workplace divers.
“New Zealand King Salmon continues to demonstrate strong leadership in workforce development, and we greatly value their commitment to supporting staff to achieve formal, NZQA-recognised qualifications,” says Michael Stewart, Seafood Training Advisor for Primary ITO.
“Their investment in structured workplace training strengthens both individual capability and the wider aquaculture sector. We are pleased to support NZKS employees as they undertake programmes aligned to their company’s operations, within Primary ITO’s broader industry-based aquaculture training offering.”