Apprentice backs new butchers’ campaign
An apprentice at a West Lothian butchers is backing a new programme to highlight vacancies in the butchery sector.
With the average age of a butcher in Scotland at 60, the industry needs to ensure there is a pipeline of young trainees coming through to future proof the red meat sector, amidst a serious shortfall of skilled positions.
As females currently represent 14 per cent of current apprentices in the retail butchery sector, the programme will work to remove outdated perceptions and showcase the diverse and accessible range of technical and business skills to be learned through the trade.
Launched on the first day of Scottish Careers Week, the careers awareness programme from Quality Meat Scotland in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, will shine a spotlight on butchery as a chance for young people to learn a craft, picking up skills that range from traditional to those using cuttingedge technologies. Cameron Chisholm, of Hugh Black & Sons, Bathgate, said he is enjoying his apprenticeship and encouraged others to think about butchery as a career.
He added: “I started working in my local butchers as a Saturday boy, but quickly moved into an apprenticeship.
“I’d been planning on going to university but I really enjoyed working in the shops and interacting with customers. My apprenticeship has really helped me mature, think about what I want in life and how to get there – I’ve massively benefitted from the responsibility it’s given me and seeing first-hand how the rest of the team work.
“Everybody has been incredibly encouraging, and I know that my assessor is available for one-to-one support at any time of the day – access to help is always available as I continue my training towards my next qualifications. I get a buzz from putting my heart into my work, progressing up the ranks and my ultimate goal is to have my own shop and café.
“If you’re thinking about stepping into a career in butchery, I say go for it – you’ll never know what’s on the other side of the wall if you don’t jump.”
Around 25 per cent of current vacancies are apprenticeship opportunities in the retail, processing and catering sector.
The programme will underline the crucial business skills that the career provides, from selection of products and product development to learning about the supply chain, recipe development, pricing, profitability and customer service.
Gordon Newlands, brand development manager at Quality Meat Scotland, said: “During the various lockdowns over the last 18 months, many of us have rediscovered the joys of visiting our local butcher to get high quality meats. This project builds on this renewed interest to showcase the range of skills, knowledge and behaviours that can lead to rewarding careers in the butchery industry, not only in the UK but across the world.”
Gerry McBride, strategic relations manager at Skills Development Scotland, said: “This project has been built to show just how much butchery has to offer young people as an exciting career choice with huge opportunities for progression. We strongly believe that butchery represents a field that is more than just a job, it is an innovative and evolving craft that can unlock a range of exciting careers.”
For details on careers in butchery visit www.butcherycareers.co.uk