Butchery apprenticeship to prevent staff shortages

A butchery apprenticeship programme has been launched at the Isle of Man's abattoir to safeguard against future staff shortages in the industry.

The initiative, being run by Isle of Man Meats, aims to give apprentices hands-on experience in all areas of the production process.

Meant Plant bosses said the 18-month programme would address a growing skills gap as fewer school leavers join the trade as experienced butchers retire.

Managing director Rebecca Miah said the firm wanted to ensure young people had "access to the training and opportunities needed to enter this vital trade".

She said the shortage of butchery skills was a "global issue", and the programme was a "critical investment in the future of butchery on the Isle of Man" that would ensure it could continue to produce high-quality meat, she continued.

Intake for the programme, led by UK company WTD Training, is set to be undertaken on a rolling basis around September and March, with the plant currently training two new apprentices.

Those taking part would learn about food safety, animal welfare, grading of products, as well as how to make different cuts of meat and at the end of the programme would have a Food and Drink Qualification.

Isle of Man Meats human resources manager Kelley Corlett said apprenticeships had "fallen off greatly" in recent times, which was partly due to a reduction in butcher shops as people's shopping habits changed.

She said while there was a stable number of 56 employees at Isle of Man Meats, with global demand for butchers increasing, apprentices would have "a solid career path ahead of them, both locally and beyond", she added.

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]