Butcher

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Entry requirements:

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 Professional Butchery
• Level 3 Diploma For Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills

Entry requirements:

• 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 could get into this job by doing a Butcher Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, then move on to the Butcher Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Each apprenticeship takes around 1 year and 6 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You can start as a trainee in a butcher's shop and learn on the job. Knowledge of the meat trade or experience in food retailing may help you to find a trainee position.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• 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
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• excellent verbal communication skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to sell products and services
• concentration skills
• maths knowledge

What you'll do:

Butchers prepare and sell meat and poultry, and make meat products like sausages, burgers and pies.

On a typical day you could:

• receive stock deliveries and put them into cold storage
• create product displays
• cut, bone and trim meat
• serve customers
• clean knives, cutting equipment and work areas

Location : You could work in a factory or at a store.
Environment : Your working environment may be cool and physically demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £26,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

43 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a manager in a butcher’s shop, farm shop or supermarket
• specialise in particular product types like organic or cured meats
• take further training to become a master butcher
• move into catering, meat manufacturing or wholesaling
• set up your own business

You could also work at the Food Standards Agency , checking quality and standards in abattoirs and meat plants.