Youth charity The Prince's Trust is calling on unemployed young people from Cornwall to join a new fishing course to help them into work. This comes as more than one in six young people in Cornwall are unemployed (17 per cent).

The Trust is looking for unemployed 16-25-year-olds to take part in a free, three-week Get into Fishing programme, running in Newlyn from 5th March.

The Seafish accredited course will be delivered by Seafood Cornwall Training, Cornwall's dedicated fish industry training school based in Newlyn and will provide candidates with an introduction to the commercial fishing industry.

Those attending the course will learn about onboard procedures, navigation and watch keeping, stability and basic engineering as well as receiving practical tuition in rope work, knots, net mending and fishing gear construction.

Young people completing the three week programme will receive a Seafish introduction to fishing certificate for new entrants to the commercial fishing industry, as well as STCW 95 qualifications in Personal Survival Techniques and Elementary First Aid, Seafish certificates in Health & Safety and Fire Fighting and Prevention at Sea and a nationally recognised food hygiene qualification.

The three-week course provides new entrants with a comprehensive safety induction and equips them with all the certificates they need to start work on a fishing vessel. This course will be one of 20 currently being delivered around the UK thanks to funding from Seafish and the European Fisheries Fund (via the Marine Management Organisation).

Simon Potten, Operations Manager at Seafish, said he was "delighted that Seafood Cornwall Training had linked up with The Prince's Trust to promote the Newlyn course. The fishing industry needs more young people."

Young people will receive help with CV writing and interview techniques as well as ongoing mentoring support after the course to help them get a job.

Last year, more than three in four young people helped by The Prince's Trust moved into work, education or training.

Rick Libbey, regional director for The Prince's Trust in the South West, said: "With youth unemployment in Cornwall so high, it is vital that we equip young people the skills they need to get a job. This course is an excellent opportunity for unemployed young people to gain vocational training and essential basic skills in one of Cornwall's most important industries."

A taster day for those interested in signing up to the course will take place on Tuesday 28th February.

For more details or to book a place on an information session please contact Karl Culleton on 07538 936149 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Youth charity The Prince's Trust helps change young lives. It works with 13-to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. The Prince's Trust needs to raise almost £1m a week to continue its vital work.