First apprentices complete refreshed aquaculture apprenticeship

Farm supervisor Zi Jie Yeo, 31, has worked at Mt Cook Alpine for nearly seven years and recently completed the aquaculture apprenticeship.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon has partnered with Primary ITO since 2014 to sign staff into formal on-job training. Around one hundred employees have achieved qualifications, with recent graduates the first to complete the refreshed aquaculture apprenticeship training.

As the largest freshwater king salmon farming operation in New Zealand, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon is also one of the highest salmon farms in the world, at 677 metres above sea level. Ninety staff work at the Twizel operation, on five farms located in the Mackenzie hydro canals that feed into the large dams and power stations of the Waitaki hydro-power generation network. A hatchery is in Christchurch.

Caring for the fish and the environment is top priority, with minimal human intervention and low stocking densities. Salmon are fed by hand, enabling staff to observe and respond to their needs through the growing cycle and changing seasons. Two and a half thousand tonnes of salmon are supplied each year to restaurants and supermarkets around New Zealand and international markets in Australia, Dubai, Singapore, and the United States.

Having skilled and competent staff helps the business to comply with strict food safety, environmental and export regulations.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon is the largest freshwater king salmon farming operation in New Zealand

Refreshed in 2023, the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Aquaculture (with Fin Fish and Hatchery options) provides essential knowledge and practical skills on all aspects of salmon farming, legislative knowledge, and other skills including communication and teamwork.

Cam Bennett, aquaculture project manager at Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, completed Primary ITO apprenticeship training and now supports other staff to upskill.

He says the apprenticeship gives staff the opportunity to learn more about the business and specific aspects of fish health and welfare, feed quality, mortality, and processes to improve things on farm.

Jaime Wilkinson, 23, moved from Tauranga to Twizel for a job at Mt Cook Alpine Salmon three years ago, saying “it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.” She recently completed the apprenticeship, after initially studying marine biology at polytechnic.

“I loved doing the apprenticeship,” Jaime says. “I am always keen to advance my education and I learned a lot. My favourite topics were fish health and learning what disease looks like in fish, and I enjoyed the practical aspect of the training.”

Jaime Wilkinson recently completed the apprenticeship.

Last October Jaime became a smolt supervisor, looking after five pens of juvenile salmon including regular feeding, monitoring fish health and welfare, and maintaining predator nets, amongst other tasks.

She enjoys the physicality of the role, working outdoors and being active, and wants to keep learning as much as she can.

Farm supervisor Zi Jie Yeo, 31, has worked at Mt Cook Alpine for nearly seven years and recently completed the aquaculture apprenticeship.

“I started as a farm technician after graduating from university. With the apprenticeship it was good to get more knowledge, and I enjoyed learning more about fish handling and health, as I do that on a daily basis.”

Zi Jie Yeo started as a farm technician after graduating from university

Daniel Edmonds, Primary ITO seafood sector manager, says Mt Cook Alpine Salmon demonstrates a huge commitment to upskilling their staff.

Find information on the aquaculture apprenticeship on our website here.