As the off-bottom oyster aquaculture industry expands, there is an increasing demand for skilled employees. Desired proficiencies include oyster production and husbandry, but also record keeping, boating, and handling of product to ensure consumer safety. Although there are free online courses available for some of these skills, hands-on training in the industry is the best option. Therefore, the commercial oyster aquaculture industry needs workforce development programs that offer funding for on-farm training of apprentices.
In 2023, the Commercial Oyster Aquaculture Sector Training (COAST) program was initiated in the northern Gulf of America. This program is a workforce development initiative aimed to recruit workers to the oyster aquaculture industry and provide them with training to meet industry demand. The first two-year funding cycle allowed for participation by 5 apprentices per year in various aspects of oyster farming, including production and rearing, business management, food safety, and serving. Participating businesses from Alabama and Mississippi received a portion of the apprentice’s wages to support training efforts. In 2025, COAST II was initiated with an additional round of funding from Mississippi Alabama Sea Grant that includes 12 companies participating from Mississippi and Alabama.
One benefit of this program is its flexibility, allowing the farm to select their own apprentice, determine the number of hours worked each week, and identify areas of training needed for their business. Assessments to date indicate all apprentices increased their knowledge in oyster aquaculture competencies. In addition, all farms and apprentices indicated that they would be interested in continued participation in COAST. Suggestions include providing more funding to allow apprentices to dedicate themselves to the industry full time, as well as some formal training outside of the on-farm duties.