Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board is delighted toannounce the appointment of its new round of graduates to its Seafood Development Centre (SDC) in Clonakilty.

This innovative graduate programme is part of an ambitious drive by BIM to promote careers in the seafood sector and is being run in partnership with UCC and Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

The programme which is now in its 6th year, is much sought-after among those considering a career in the seafood industry as it helps graduates to improve on key competencies of business development, marketing and product development.

The three new graduates will be given invaluable, hands-on and in-depth training at the SDC which is a testing ground for new technology innovations to help businesses add value to their seafood products through shelf-life testing and packaging innovation.

The graduates will also gain practical experience engaging directly with businesses as part of the SDC’s role working with industry in the development, research and launch of seafood products to the Irish and international markets.

Through the programme, graduates are given eight months of intense training in the SDC before they go on to complete six months placement in seafood businesses. Many of the graduates who have gone through the programme have been awarded full-time jobs by their placement companies.

Welcoming the graduates Paul Ward, Manager with the Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty, said: “Our facility and team are at the forefront of innovation and have the highest level of expertise in the seafood industry which is worth over €850 million to the Irish economy.

“The SDC and BIM are committed to supporting and promoting the rewarding and dynamic career path that the seafood industry offers for the brightest and most dedicated talent.”

Dylan Doherty (35) from Clonmany in Co. Donegal takes on the exciting role as the new Product Development Chef in the SDC. Dylan who recently completed a BA Honours in Culinary Arts at LYIT, Killybegs, Co. Donegal hopes the graduate programme will help him to pursue a career as a new product development chef at a modern seafood processing facility.

Catherine Ceelen (23) from Belturbet, Co.Cavan who recently completed a BFS Food Science and Technology Degree at UCC, is the SDC’s new Food Science Graduate – a role she feels will give her a greater understanding of importance of innovation and adding value to products.

Meanwhile, Sorcha McSweeney (23) from Lissarda, Co Cork takes up the position as the SDC’s new Food Marketing Graduate. She recently completed a B. Commerce Degree at UCC and is currently studying part-time for a Diploma in Food Science and Technology at UCC.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board is the Irish State agency with responsibility for developing the Irish Sea Fishing and Aquaculture industries. BIM provides commercially relevant and innovative services to the Irish seafood industry that drive growth opportunities, add value, enhance competitiveness and create jobs in a sustainable, natural resource based industry for the benefit of coastal communities. BIM’s five year strategy ‘Capturing Ireland’s Share of the Global Seafood Opportunity 2013-2017’ has clear and ambitious targets in place to achieve €1 billion in seafood sales and 1,200 jobs by 2017 www.bim.ie