The PEI Aquaculture Alliance has plans well underway for Aqua Connect PEI taking place on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lane’s River House Inn in Montague. The Alliance is supporting the aquaculture industry by providing a connector afternoon, which will put job seekers, aquaculture growers and processors, managers, career connectors, and students all in the same room.

Aqua Connect PEI is a pilot event that will provide the opportunity for job seekers to learn more about the kinds of aquaculture positions that employers may be seeking, either now or in the future. The PEI Aquaculture Alliance will kick off the afternoon by providing a general overview of the aquaculture industry in the province, and representatives of aquaculture farms and processing plants, along with fish hatcheries, will be sharing information about the types of occupations in their industry and the skills that are required.

“I am pleased to announce the Aqua Connect PEI initiative that will connect job seekers with potential employers and provide a forum for dialogue and exchange,” said Chris Somers, President of PEI Aquaculture Alliance. “This gathering provides a proactive opportunity for job seekers to meet with potential aquaculture industry employers and for career connectors and students to learn more about aquaculture employment opportunities.

For people looking for employment, or people connecting people to jobs, Aqua Connect will help familiarize attendees with the aquaculture industry and generate prospects for employment. Some examples of positions in aquaculture processing plants might include: line workers, box makers, taggers, product graders, fork lift operators, truck drivers, quality assurance personnel, office personnel, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, reception, sales, human resources, logistics, refrigeration, maintenance and more. Some examples of aquaculture farm positions could include: farm managers, deck hands, farm workers, ice harvesters, boat captains, socking crew, maintenance and more.

“Hosting a dedicated event that brings together job seekers with employers in the finfish and cultured mussel and oyster industries will drive job creation, knowledge sharing, and new relationships,” said Ann Worth, Executive Director, PEI Aquaculture Alliance.

Backgrounder:

The Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance (PEIAA) was established in January 1998 as an umbrella organization representing the PEI Cultured Mussel Growers Association, the Island Oyster Growers Group, and the PEI Finfish Association. The Alliance is a non-profit association that provides a voice on behalf of its 150-plus members which include mussel, oyster and finfish growers, processors, supportive government departments/agencies, and supplier companies.

For more information, contact Ann Worth, Executive Director, PEI Aquaculture Alliance, 902-368-2757.