Fishmonger Apprenticeship
About
The Fishmonger Apprenticeship program is designed to develop the next generation of skilled seafood professionals through hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world experience. This program introduces apprentices to the ins and outs of the seafood industry and developing deep knowledge of common seafood species.
Participants will gain practical skills while learning about fisheries management, aquaculture, seafood quality and handling practices, cutting, cooking, and seafood department safety and management. This program works with industry leading experts and provides field experience in the retail seafood department and commercial fisheries.
By combining classroom learning with on-the-job training, the apprenticeship prepares individuals for long-term careers in union grocery seafood careers and gains journeyman fishmonger credential through the state of Washington.
This pilot program, which launched in April 2024, supports the current UFCW 3000 Union Fishmongers. Our very first employer partner, Town & Country Markets, is helping to pave the way for future partnerships with union grocers across the industry.
Please note: To join, you must be a current employee at Town & Country Markets working in the seafood department.
What's included
This Apprenticeship is registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council and has two components:
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Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI):
144 hours of class time. -
On-the-job training (OJT):
2000 hours to be completed within a year.
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Safety: Food handling and workplace
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Seafood industry overview
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Product and species knowledge
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Seasonality, sustainability, and catch methods
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Fish & seafood processing: Cutting, filleting, shucking, peeling and cracking
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Cooking and recipes
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Interpersonal skills: Customer service and workplace communication
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Department management: Teamwork, operations, ordering & inventory, merchandising
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Market math: Pricing and spoilage
If you have questions email our Program Director, Megan Williams at mwilliams@wetrainwa.org
This Fishmonger Apprenticeship Program received support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor WIOA Title I-B Adult, DW, and Youth grant through Career Connect Washington. Read more about USDOL grant funding at esd.wa.gov/usdol.