I. Introduction

Risk Management Definition: Risk management is the practice where it primarily is concerned about the loss exposures due to hazard risks. The management of the risks excludes from its remits all exposure attributed to the risks.

Aquatic Non Native Species (NNS) Risk Manager Job Description: A Risk Manager will be able to:

1) participate in identifying, analyzing, evaluating and monitoring the risk posed by aquatic NNS and

2) contribute to strategy and policy development and maintenance to support and align with aquatic NNS initiatives and regulatory compliance.

II. The conceptual framework of Risk Manager occupation

Description of the training: The training requested in order to get a certificate of Risk Manager for Aquatic NNS are separated into three units.

Unit 1: Conceptual Framework. In this unit, the basic information about NNS are introduced to the participants, such as:

a) Keys or rapid identification of aquatic species of WBs with emphasis on the NNS,

b) Overview of the aquatic NNS’ impacts on ecosystem and ecosystem services and

c) Main entry/escape/spread pathways for aquatic  NNS.

Unit 2: General Principles of Risk Management. In this unit the basic information on Risk Management are introduced to the participants such as:

a) Overview of the general principles of Risk Management of aquatic NNS (early detection, control and eradication processes) with main emphasis on those applied to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors,

b) Socio-economic effects of aquatic NNS and

c) Main hazards posed by aquatic NNS on aquaculture and fisheries industries.

Unit 3: RiskMan Model. In this unit the participants will get trained on the following sections:

a) Overview of main Screening Decision-Support Tools available for aquatic NNS,

b) Holistic managing approaches applied to aquaculture and fishing industries,

c) Introduction to the Risk Management Model for the NNS in WBs adeveloped during RISKMAN project implementation.

III. Implementation of the training

The trainings is dedicated to students or unemployed graduates from relevant scientific disciplines in schools and departments such as biologists, ichthyologists, environmentalists, fisheries engineers, aquaculture engineers and veterinarians. The training is also designed for workers that are in the sector of aquacultures, aquariums, pet shops, professional fishers and maritime industry.

Regarding the duration of the training courses, it should be expanded to more days and hours (instead of 5 days of 40 hours, it should be 10 days with 40 hours).

The training courses should also focus on specific NNS contained in the lists of their country and to the species that will expand in the next few years in their region. Additionally, field trips should be added in the context of the courses, in aquaculture facilities, fishing ports, aquariums, pet shops and other vectors / sources of NNS in order for the participants to familiarize with the conditions of every sector. Finally, representatives of the sectors of aquaculture, aquariums, fisheries, pet shops, and other related activities, could participate in some parts of the training in order to share their practical experience.

IV. Certification and Accreditation Phase

The training courses should be done in collaboration with public HEIs (collaboration / support / under the auspices), research centers, NGOs, national and EU accreditation Centers or other organizations that can provide a strong certificate. The certificate will be given after specific exams implemented by an authorized and unbiased organization.

V. Sustainability and Dissemination Phase

In order to attract more people to participate in the training courses there should be a sustainability and dissemination plan. (More disseminations, update continuously the list for each country with NNS)

A) Sustainability plan:

• Implementation of a continuous communication between the organizations and the Labor Offices for the selection of the candidates and to follow the Job tendencies and update the content of the courses
• Creation of a database with the data of the candidates to follow the success of the courses and their career status by using periodical questionnaires.
• Establish a common approach for the HEIs in the partner countries in order to maintain the courses related with the risk management.
• Make bilateral agreements between HEIs and sector representatives (SMEs, labor offices, chambers, public authorities) in order to start apprenticeship of the students who have chosen these courses in the partner countries. 

B) Dissemination plan:

In order to attract more people to the training courses, there should be pre and post courses actions. The pre courses dissemination actions should contain the following:

• posts on the involved bodies’ social media regarding the training courses
• press releases in the national mass media for the courses
• collaboration with second chance schools in order to attract unemployed students.
• collaboration with National ministries of Environment / Education etc
• creation of an informative - educational - dissemination material (notebooks, pens, t-shirts etc)
• adds on mass media (radio, press, tv etc) and by dedicated videos
• collaborate with sponsors such as supermarkets or companies that sell NNS (in the form of corporate social responsibility)

Besides, all partners have installed hyperlinks from their own websites to the project website and vice versa, thus ensuring best possible access to information. Further links will be set with various international related websites (key players, policy and decision-makers, relevant institutions, target group organizations etc.). Since the project partnership has used of the advantages of its own project by Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn making it easier for professionals having similar interests and allowing members to be regularly updated about the latest developments and discussions of the project-partnership.

Finally, after the ending of the RiskMan project, the post courses will contribute to disseminate project main outputs. The partnership has already agreed on the the post courses dissemination actions should contain which is below:

• Promote the success rates of the participants
• Promote how many of the participants got hired after the seminars in a relevant field of work

VI. Recommendations in the long-term strategy for Risk Manager

Recommendation 1: Review existing occupations in each country and analyze the appropriate skills and competences for Risk Manager

It includes the processes of reviewing the existing professions within the scope of Risk Manager, making evaluations in terms of existing professions and defining the basic skills and competences in case the Risk Manager proposes a new profession, taking into account the harmonization processes with the EU acquis in all partner countries within the RiskMan partnership.

Recommendation 2: Increasing the number of internship opportunities in the specified professional field in the partner countries HEIs. 

In the partner countries of the RiskMan project, HEIs should make joint agreements with sector representatives, employment organizations, chambers of commerce, vocational training institutions, companies to provide internship opportunities for students taking courses in their institutions to gain industrial experience and support students' on-the-job learning processes.

Recommendation 3: Raise awareness of companies involved in the fisheries industry and support them to take the initiative to employ a Risk Manager

Representatives of employers and workers and their organizations in the fishery industry should be consulted in formulating policies for the development and use of human capacities, and their co-operation should be sought in the implementation of risk management for NNs. HEIs in the countries involved in the RiskMan partnership should continue to raise awareness of the need for a qualified risk manager to support representatives of the sector in the medium and long term.

Recommendation 4: Higher Education Institutions Contribute to the Risk Manager Recruitment Process

Each Member should be aware of the significance of developing human resources and their full potential as risk managers, for instance through education, career counseling and training, health care, and housing, and they should seek and maintain an appropriate balance in their spending for these various goals. Each Member should take the appropriate steps to assist workers, notably young people and newcomers to the workforce, in locating acceptable and fruitful employment in the field of risk management and in becoming accustomed to the shifting demands of the circular economy.

Recommendation 5: Implement A Governance Approach in order to Maintain the Risk Manager Occupation

Each member should agree on the inclusive governance approach and put in practice the policy actions of the new occupation dimensions. The Risk Manager Job Strategy should be developed and recognised comprehensive and integrated policy actions that increase the valorisation of the risk management actions of NNS.