Industry placements are a vital component of the courses at Sparsholt and have always been recognised as a great way to get vocational skills and practical industry experience. They also offer a fantastic employment opportunity to the student when they complete their studies. This has been very clearly demonstrated this summer by the final year BSc (Hons) Aquaculture and Fishery Management students.

Aidan Bordiuk has been employed by Southern Waterscapes, a specialist company creating and renovating a range of aquatic installations, from garden makeover with water feature to pond building and maintenance.

Harry Ballard has a temporary contract at Bowlake Fish Farm with Hampshire Carp Hatcheries, which produce 13 species of coldwater ornamental and coarse fish. Check out what Harry did on his placement at hampshirecarp.co.uk/blog

Barry Goodhew (pictured) has been offered full-time employment as a Conservation Officer with the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA) who are tasked with the sustainable management of inshore sea fisheries in the Sussex region. A dream job for Barry who is a passionate sea angler.

Oliver Floyd has got the job of Fishery Manager at Frobury Farm Sporting Club at Kingsclere near Newbury. This mixed fishery offers a great range of coarse fishing from its complex of seven lakes.

Lee Hellawell has been offered work salmon farming for Meridian Salmon Farms which is a leading Scottish salmon aquaculture company. It has activities on the Shetland and Orkney islands as well as on the Scottish mainland and the Lake District.

These jobs emphasise the value of incorporating industrial experience as part of the course programme.