Apprentice says trade not just for men

Think of a butcher and you generally think of a man - but Kayla Scott thinks it’s a job for anyone.

The 21-year-old is an apprentice at the Kiwi Butcher Shop in New Plymouth, where she has worked on and off for five years.

‘‘It’s quite a full on, energetic kind of job...There’s never a dull moment,’’ she says. ‘‘It’s usually more challenging because you don’t want it to be labelled as a male’s job, because anyone can do it.’’

She said she had heard of other female butchers but she had not met any personally.

‘‘If it’s something that you want to do just go in there and do it.’’

Scott was one of 50 elite apprentices chosen by Industry Training Organisations to go to Parliament as part of the Future Leaders programme.

She also works with Taranaki Futures as an ambassador, promoting apprenticeships as an alternative to university.

‘‘I’m in no debt and I’ve got a job.

‘‘I just want to get qualified and just see where the next path goes.’’

She first started as the dishwasher before making her way through the ranks, eventually being offered an apprenticeship.

After finishing her qualification she hopes to travel to see how things are done in other butchers’ shops.

‘‘We render our own fat and make our own bacon. Not many places do that these days or make small goods or stuff like that.’’

She said she enjoys being creative and breaking down the animals into different cuts.

‘‘And just like serving the customers because you get to meet quite a wide range of people.’’

And contrary to popular belief, working in a butchery is not all blood and guts.

‘‘You’re going to get blood and stuff over your hands. There’s protective clothing to wear. It’s honestly not that messy.’’

A health app created in Taranaki and a suicide prevention initiative started in the region are finalists in the NZ Innovation Awards. Firstcheck, an app that detects skin cancer, is in the ‘‘Start-Up Innovation Of The Year’’ category and The Taranaki Retreat was named in the ‘‘Excellence in Social Innovation’’ category. Public voting is open from 12-29 September 2017 at innovationawards.org.nz. Winners will be announced at a function in Auckland on October 19.

Taranaki-based Green Meadows Beef have been named a finalist in the 2017 NZ Food Awards for their Angus Beef and Beetroot Burgers, developed with celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen. The Angus Beef and Beetroot burgers are a finalist in the Artisan Food Producers category.The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at SkyCity on October 12.