Tasmanian Seafood Processing Scholarship

About the Opportunity

With a new emphasis on the economic possibilities of the Blue Economy in Timor-Leste, there are new economic opportunities in the seafood sector. Supported by the Crawford Foundation (Australia), we're looking for four (4) Timorese citizens to take part in a study tour of commercial seafood processors in Tasmania, Australia. Tasmania has long been a producer of quality seafood products for high-end markets in Australia and internationally. This travel grant will provide Timorese seafood entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn directly from those involved in the industry.

What's Involved

Participants will need to have an existing interest in Seafood Processing. They will travel to Tasmania, Australia and do short workplace placements at different seafood processors over two weeks. They will typically spend two days at each facility. The training will be hands-on so you will be expected to get involved with daily operations.

The aim is to get training in four different facilities that specialise in:

• Live seafood products such as lobster and abalone for premium export markets. This involves husbandry of animals in tank systems.
• Processing of urchins for roe and as an example of value-added products.
• Fish filleting and packing for premium retail markets.
• Octopus processing.

The opportunity is open to those who have the capacity to take what they learn and apply it in business when they return to Timor Leste.

Full funding will be provided to cover travel costs with a budget of around AUD$5000 per person. All travel and bookings will be coordinated from Australia.

Application Requirements

Your application should provide the following:

1. Your background and reason for wanting to apply.
2. How you will be able to apply your training when you return to Timor Leste (for example, you may have plans to open a seafood processing business or already be involved in the industry).
3. Confirm that you would be willing and able to participate in travel to Tasmania and hands-on processing training, such as training in fish filleting, processing urchins and packing.
4. Confirm that you have English language skills sufficient for this training, i.e. to enable communication with the Australian processing staff.
5. Contact details for two referees.

How to Apply

Please send an application letter to Professor Caleb Gardner at [email protected]

If your application is short-listed, you may be invited to participate in a short interview.