SEAFOOD SCOTLAND CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY WITHIN THE SECTOR

Seafood Scotland challenges students to inspire creativity within the sector. The organisation has joined the Powering Futures Challenge Programme to strengthen the skills pipeline and showcase careers in the seafood sector.

Seafood Scotland has announced its role as a challenge setter in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, expanding its work to inspire young people to consider careers in the seafood industry.

Run by education-to-workforce skills provider Powering Futures, the programme bridges the gap between education and business by giving students the chance to devise solutions to real-world challenges. Now in its fourth year, it is embedded in more than 125 schools across Scotland. This year, over 3,500 pupils will take part, working towards an SCQF Level 6 qualification – which sits at the same level as a Higher – at the end of the process.

As a challenge setter, Seafood Scotland has tasked students with designing a campaign to encourage Scottish people to eat more local seafood. Participants are encouraged to think creatively and highlight the taste, health benefits and pride people can feel when choosing seafood from Scottish waters.

Jeni Adamson, Industry Engagement Manager at Seafood Scotland, said:

“We know Scottish seafood is among the best in the world but, despite it being right on our doorstep, Scottish people just aren’t eating as much as we should. That means we’re missing out not only on natural health benefits, but also the chance to support our economy and contribute to Scotland’s net zero goals by eating locally.

“To encourage people to eat more Scottish seafood, we’ve asked challenge participants to design a campaign that reconnects people with it – whether by connecting seafood with Scottish pride, showing how simple it is to prepare, or exploring another creative angle.”

Jennifer Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures, noted:

“We’re delighted to welcome Seafood Scotland as a challenge setter in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme for 2025-2026.

“This partnership gives young people the chance to apply their creativity to real-world challenges while exploring exciting career opportunities in the seafood sector. By connecting students with industries in meaningful ways, we’re helping them build the skills, confidence and ambition they need to shape Scotland’s sustainable future.”

Seafood Scotland’s participation in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme builds on the organisation’s existing commitment to skills development. Through initiatives such as Seafood in Schools, it directly engages with primary school pupils to dispel myths around eating seafood and highlight career opportunities. It also supports Scotland Food & Drink’s Feeding Workforce Skills project, which helps existing employees across the sector strengthen essential soft skills.

Jeni Adamson added:

“Our involvement in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme and other skills initiatives is all part of our commitment to building the future workforce that will sustain Scotland’s seafood industry for generations to come. These programmes are fantastic opportunities to raise awareness among students of the wide variety of careers within the seafood sector.

“Whether your interests lie in marketing, science, environmental planning or more, there’s a role in seafood for you.”

Further details of the Powering Futures Challenge Programme are available here.

Information on Seafood in Schools is available here.

Image: Jeni Adamson, credit: Seafood Scotland