National Craft Butchery Apprenticeship

The Co-ordinating Partner for this programme is the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board.

This innovative programme, delivered over 2 years (26 months), integrates “On-the-Job” training where the apprentice will work alongside and learn from Craft Butchers in the workplace, and “Off-the-Job” classroom-based, academic modules, developing a clear pathway for apprentice butchers to obtain a professional, recognised trade qualification.

The curriculum concentrates on core industry skills such as Practical Meat Cutting, Manufacturing Meat Products, Entrepreneurial Skills, Retail Display, Customer Service and Sales, Food Safety and Hygiene, and Health and Safety; all crucial in Ireland’s food retail sector today.

Although training is primarily “on-the-job”, 86% of the time, the programme is supported by “off-the-job” learning, which takes place in Teagasc, Ashtown Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15.

MSLETB also have classes running in Sligo and have collaborated with Cork College of Further Education to provide training here.

Funding of up to €2,000 annually is available to employers under the Apprenticeship Employer Grant Scheme.

The Údarás na Gaeltachta apprenticeship scholarship scheme is also available on this programme - funding for both employer & apprentice. There is also an additional Gender Bursary of €2,666 for employers who employ a female butcher.

On successful completion of the programme the apprentice will achieve a QQI Level 5 Certificate in Craft Butchery.

Intakes for 2024:

• Cork: March and October
• Dublin: June and October
• Sligo: September

For further information and application requirements for this programme contact Julie Cahill National Programme Manager juliecahill@msletb.ie 

Download the Programme Brochure