Meat process worker

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills
• Level 3 Certificate or Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills

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
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can do an abattoir worker intermediate apprenticeship, or a food and drink process operator intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You do not need any particular qualifications to apply directly for this job. Some employers may prefer you to have some GCSEs at grades 9 to 2 (A* to E).

You may have an advantage if you've got experience of using a forklift truck, though this is not essential.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in food production from the Food and Drink Training and Education Council.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• persistence and determination
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of food production methods
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

To work as a slaughterman or slaughterwoman you must be licensed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and aged 18 or over.

For production line work, you need to be at least 16.

You might need a driving licence if your job includes delivery duties.

You may work in:

• abattoirs - as a slaughterman or slaughterwoman, humanely killing and preparing livestock
• wholesale meat factories - cutting, de-boning and preparing carcasses before they are sold to retailers
• butcheries - specialising in preparing meat in line with instructions from caterers
• meat or poultry processing plants - producing and packing products for the retail and catering industries

Depending on where you work, you may use knives and other equipment, like a band saw, to cut and prepare carcasses. You may also have some delivery duties.

You could work at an abattoir or in a factory.

Your working environment may be cold and physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.