Butcher apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a college coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this role
College
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:
- Level 2 Diploma in Butchery
- Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma For Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills
You'll usually need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course. You'll need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a Level 3 course.
Apprenticeship
You could get into this job through a butcher Level 2 apprenticeship. Once working, you could move onto the butcher Level 3 apprenticeship. You'll usually need some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for a Level 2 apprenticeship. You'll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for a Level 3 apprenticeship.
Work
You can start as a trainee or assistant butcher and learn on the job. Knowledge of the meat trade or experience in food retailing may help you find a trainee job. Any experience you have working with the public, food or handling cash would be useful for this career.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Meat or the National Craft Butchers.
Butcher apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of food production methods
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- customer service skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
Some employers will want you to have a Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail or Catering. This can be taken as a 1-day course and is widely available through colleges and private training providers.
Butcher apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
On a typical day you could:
- buy, order, store and control stock
- receive deliveries and check their content and hygiene
- move meat stock to cold storage areas
- create product displays
- cut, bone and trim meat
- serve customers
- advise customers on how to prepare and cook meat
- drive to markets, wholesalers, and customers' premises
Working environment
You could work in a factory or at a store.
Your working environment may be cool and physically demanding.
You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.
Career path and progression - Butcher apprenticeships
With experience, you could work in larger and higher quality independent butchers' shops, retail chains and supermarkets, or set up your own shop.
You may progress to supervisory or management roles in a supermarket or chain of shops.
You could also work at the Food Standards Agency, checking quality and standards in abattoirs and meat plants.
You could move into catering, meat manufacturing and wholesaling.