Exciting New Generation Apprenticeship in Craft Butchery Announced

26 Oct 2018

August and September saw the National Craft Butcher Apprenticeship Programme go through the rigorous QQI validation process and we were delighted to receive QQI Validation September 25th 

Responding to market trends in the food retail sector, where the art and craft of the butcher has returned to prominence, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), a leading provider of further education and training in Ireland, is delighted to announced the commencement of a new generation apprenticeship programme for the Craft Butcher sector in Ireland.
 
This new generation apprenticeship was developed as part of the national strategy to address existing and future skill needs in Ireland by increasing the number and range of apprenticeships.
 
Speaking about this development John Hickey the CEO Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI), said “This “National Craft Butcher Apprenticeship” was developed in recognition of the future skills needs of the industry. The programme was developed by a consortia led by ACBI, MSLETB and other key stakeholders in the sector. This apprenticeship is for the craft butcher sector and will serve to educate butchers for the future and expand the skill set of new and existing butchers”.
 
This programme, delivered over a two-year period, combines centre based training with significant “On-the-Job” experiential learning that develops a clear pathway for apprentice craft butchers to successfully complete a training programme in order to obtain a professional recognised trade qualification.
 
According to Sean Burke of MSLETB “The curriculum concentrates on core industry skills such as Meat Cutting, Meat Products, Manufacturing Meat Products, Entrepreneurial Skills, Animal Welfare, Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, Customer Service and Marketing all of which are crucial in Ireland’s domestic agricultural and food retail sector. This is an innovative programme integrating experiential “On-the-Job” training where the apprentice will be working alongside, and learning from, experienced Craft Butcher professionals in the workplace, and “Off-the-Job” classroom based academic modules. On successful completion of the programme the apprentice will achieve a Level 5 Certificate in Craft Butchery”.
 
This programme will use a variety of learning methodologies to deliver this industry led and driven programme. Working with industry partners and supported by Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education & Training Board this programme has been developed to train aspiring craft butchers for the 21st century.
 
The National Craft Butcher Apprenticeship will support industry by providing a sustainable stream of skilled, professionally qualified long-term employees to take up career opportunities in the sector.
 
For more information about the National Craft Butcher Apprenticeship programme, to become an approved employer or to register an apprentice, contact apprenticeship@msletb.ie
and/or juliecahill@msletb.ie or 01 8682820 Julie Cahill National Apprenticeship Programme Manager 

First Class of Apprentices officially started Monday October 22nd, thank you to employers who have put forward apprentices, thank you to mentors who took part in the recent mentor training sessions.

Wishing our new apprentices the very best of luck on the start of their National Craft Butcher Apprenticeship!

(Second class to start in February, if you have a candidate that you would like to put forward please get in touch Contact Julie 01 8682820)