Sparsholt College Hampshire

I did a fish farming course for 3 years between 87-90, they also do this course, perhaps there are some young fish keepers thinking of working in the industry.

BTEC National Diploma in Fish Management
(Ornamental Fish)
Tutor: C G Baldwin, BSc(Hons), PGCE, MIFM

This course has been designed with the aquatics industry to provide scientifically-based, practical training for those who wish to pursue a career in the technical or managerial areas of aquatics retailing/wholesaling or public aquaria.

The National Diploma is a two year, Level 3 course, which includes a significant period of practical experience in the industry. These placements allow the students to gain either a broad overview of the different components of the industry or to specialise in a particular field.

The course covers a wide range of subjects and practical skills, including business management, water quality and environmental studies, plant and fish biology and husbandry, construction techniques, health and safety at work, fish health, aquatics systems and technology, and pond design and installation.

Much of the practical work takes place in the National Aquatics Training Centre, which houses both cold water and tropical ornamental fish. It provides opportunities for students to construct, monitor and maintain a variety of fish-holding and filtration systems. However, staff and students have access to many fish shops, wholesale businesses and public aquaria across southern England.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

When your Learning Agreement is discussed with your tutor early in the first term, you will be advised of extra skills and qualifications which are built into the course programme.

These “secondary learning goals” are selected on the basis of their importance to the industry/career in which you are interested.

They will contribute to your employability and will enhance your CV.

Qualification Equivalence (Level 3)

This course is equivalent in level to an Advanced GNVQ or 3 A Levels.

Employment and Career Prospects

Prospects for employment are good with many past students now established in responsible positions.

Holders of the Diploma now run ornamental retail premises or work in public aquaria and museums.
A number of former students have established successful pond building and landscaping businesses.

Opportunities also exist for more advanced study with an increasing number of students continuing onto Higher Education courses.

The course has the involvement, support and respect of the industry nationally which is keen to take on Sparsholt-trained staff.

Preferred Entry Requirements

Candidates should have 4 GCSEs at A, B or C grade (or equivalent), including, preferably, Science and English.

Twelve months pre-College employment in a relevant area (and satisfactory references) is useful for potential students but not essential.

Students may also apply with an appropriate BTEC First Diploma course qualification.

Mature students are considered on an individual basis.

Interesting post sean. Do you remember when you were heading off to do the course yourself, I looked at some elderly but very interesting Discus you were trying to sell.
Derek

Thats a verry informative post Sean.
Great info for anyone here that might be considering going down that road and dosent know were to start.

Interesting, they also do short two day courses if anyone wanted to check it out:

www.sparsholt.ac.uk/schwww/fish/fpt1.htm