Fishmonger
Hospitality and food

How to become a fishmonger

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• specialist courses run by private training providers

College

You can do a Level 2 or 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Fish and Shellfish Industry Skills. You could also do a more general retail course, like a Level 2 Diploma in Retail Skills.

College (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can do a fishmonger intermediate apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You could start out as a sales assistant and work your way up by learning from trained members of staff in a fishmonger's shop or on a fish counter in a supermarket.

Direct application

There are no set entry requirements if you want to apply directly, but a good standard of general education will be helpful, including GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in maths and English. Some employers may ask for a food hygiene certificate, although you can often get this once you start working. Experience in retail or customer service will also be useful.

Other routes

You can do short, specialist fish cookery courses through organisations like the Billingsgate Seafood School, Seafish Training and the Seafood Training Academy.

More info

Further information You can find out more about working in the seafood industry from Seafish.

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of food production methods
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you'll do

Day to day

Your day-to-day duties might include:

• taking deliveries from suppliers
• moving stock to and from cold storage areas
• setting out produce in display cabinets
• advising customers about different types of fish, and cooking methods
• preparing orders for shop customers and restaurants
• taking payments
• keeping work areas clean
• ordering stock from wholesalers

Working environment

You could work at a store or on a market stall. Your working environment may be cool. You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience and training you could become an assistant manager in a supermarket, a seafood chef or set up your own business. You could also move into seafood wholesaling, supplying shops and restaurants.