This week saw the launch of the second phase of Quality Meat Scotland’s Butchery Careers project, designed to promote the world of butchery as a fruitful, interesting and rewarding career path for the country’s young people.

Building on the successful unveiling and promotion of the Butchery Careers website in October 2021, phase two will coincide with Scottish Apprenticeship Week (7th - 11th March), and is currently underway.

Gordon Newlands, Brand Development Manager at Quality Meat Scotland, said:

“With the average age of a butcher in Scotland at 60, and severe workforce shortages ever-present, the industry needs to ensure there is a pipeline of young trainees coming through to futureproof the red meat sector. We are keen to attract young people from all backgrounds, as well as women who may not initially see it as a natural career path.“

Females currently represent 14 per cent of current apprentices in the retail butchery sector, so one focus of the programme is to remove outdated perceptions and showcase the diverse and accessible range of technical and business skills to be learned through the trade.

The project, which aims to help fill the 750 potential roles in the industry, has been underlining the crucial business skills that the career provides, through targeted social media campaigns and digital advertising, PR features during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, continuous website development and industry collaboration. It has also brought together processors, butchers and industry contacts with potential employees to showcase the industry and product development, the supply chain, pricing, profitability, and customer service.

The Scottish Farmer:

Current apprentice at Hugh Black & Sons, Cameron Chisholm, said “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. I was keen to learn more about how the finished products were made and develop a career that used focus, skills and hard work.”

“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!”

Mr Newlands added: “Skilled butchers are more in demand than ever before, and those at the forefront are finding themselves practicing this unique craft in an environment that requires both the respect of heritage and traditions, and adaptability to work with cutting edge technologies. As innovation meets tradition, now is a truly exciting time to be entering the trade and capitalise on the array of excellent career opportunities that support both personal development, and the social and economic future of Scotland.”

Head to the Butchery Careers website via www.butcherycareers.co.uk to learn more about careers in butchery and the efforts being made to support the sector.