A GROUP of Greenock locals with no fishing experience are ready to jump ship and join boats across the country through a new training programme run from the Esplanade.

Eight recruits with no history in the industry signed up for the three-week long introduction to commercial fishing course running from the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club.

Sessions included fire safety training, sea survival, safety awareness sessions, and more.

Lachlan Paterson, training co-ordinator for the Fish Industry Training Association (FITA), who delivered the courses in partnership with the Clyde Fishermen’s Trust, was a professional fisherman for 30 years before helping others into the trade.

He said: “Essentially, the course is all about making them feel ready and safe for when they do go on boats.

“People definitely need to have a willingness to work - it's not an easy role.

“It is hard work but worth it.

"There is money to be made.

“Many boys I trained years ago, are now skippers on boats.”

The Clyde Fishermen’s Trust - a charity - contacted Lachie and FITA to run the training in partnership.

They received funding from Seafish and the Marine Fund Scotland to run the course free of charge for all recruits, including a one month placement on a boat somewhere in the UK, with participants paid a full wage once training is complete.

One of the recruits will be working on a boat in Dunoon for a month after the sessions are over.

Through the training, which he has been part of delivering for 18 years, Lachie hopes to inspire people into the industry and keep it going.

The ex-fisherman added: “The good thing about this training is there is no age limit - you can be 18 and have never had a job before, or be in your 60s looking for a career change.

“There is a shortage of workers particularly among the Clyde boats.

“The industry is desperate for young people to commit and turn up.

“This gives them a free, good start."

Jonathan Walker, project manager for the Clyde Fishermen's Trust, said: “The overall outcome we hope for is improving the lives of coastal communities from the Clyde.

“With our Greenock training we knew it would be people from an urban area who may have no experience or have never been related to the fishing industry.

“It’s nice to see the positive outcome this is having and we’re hoping to partner with local councils on future projects to get more people involved.”