Aquaculture Innovation Centre has been engaged in manpower development as part of the contribution to the ecosystem. The team had been extensively engaged in the SGUnited Skills Programme specifically in Up-Skill in Entrepreneurship in Aquaculture. The first intake started on 31 August 2020 for which the team had about less than two months to quickly design and conduct the training programme for a period of 5 months. This is a 6-month full-time training programme with 1 month devoted to non-technical modules like design thinking in action, executive entrepreneurship programme, innovation in advertising and social media strategy which were conducted by Temasek Polytechnic colleagues from the schools and departments.

The trainees underwent 1 month of theory with AIC before embarking 4 months’ of On-the-Job Training (OJT) at the AIC Research & Training Farm located at Neo Tiew Crescent.

As part of their training the trainees undertook a field trip to Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC) at St John’s Island. COVID-19 and Safe-Distancing Measurements Management (SMM) did not dampen their spirits as the group of trainees graduated from the programme on 26 February 2021. 

The trainees spent some quality time at the AIC Farm and on the last day of their course, had to do their Final Presentation which was based on the aquaculture project that they had worked on during the OJT. 

Out of the 18 trainers, 56% have expressed interest in going into aqua start-up.  It is really heart-warming for the AIC team to see such strong support for the aqua sector. AIC will continue to provide guidance and assistance to the aqua start-ups.