Butcher

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 Certificate For Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills
• Level 2 Diploma in Butchery

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could get into this job through a butcher intermediate apprenticeship. Once working, you could move onto the butcher advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

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

Career tips

Any experience you have working with the public, food or handling cash would be useful for this career.

Further information

You'll find more advice about becoming a butcher from Tasty Careers.

You'll need:

• 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
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Some employers will want you to have a Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail or Catering. This can be taken as a 1-day course and is widely available through colleges and private training providers.

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

• buying, ordering, storing and controlling stock
• receiving deliveries and checking their content and hygiene
• moving meat stock to cold storage areas
• creating product displays
• cutting, boning and trimming meat
• serving customers
• advising customers on how to prepare and cook meat
• driving to markets, wholesalers, and customers' premises

You could work in a factory or at a store.

Your working environment may be cool and physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.