Dunbia Sawley has held a presentation evening to recognize employees who have completed the Butchery Academy Apprenticeship Programme.
Josh Bridges, Thomas Achaski and Dawid Bak completed a 12 month Butchery Academy Apprenticeship Programme at Dunbia Sawley which has seen them develop into fully trained, highly skilled butchers. Josh was also named Apprentice of the Year.
Dunbia Chief Executive Jim Dobson travelled to Sawley to present the trainees with their awards and congratulated the three men on their achievements: “Dunbia’s Butchery Academy is an award-winning apprenticeship programme through which we train and support young people towards a long-term career in butchery. Josh, Dawid and Thomas have come through the Academy and emerged as excellent butchers with very bright futures ahead of them. I congratulate them on their success and look forward to watching their careers flourish at Dunbia.”
Dunbia’s Butchery Academy is a practical training programme which offers a mix of one-to-one training and mentoring, class-room based learning and a proficiency-based qualification with the ultimate aim of developing trainees to become managers in the future.
“As a meat processor, butchery lies at the very heart of our business,” adds Mr Dobson. “We need highly skilled, motivated butchers which is why we have invested in our Butchery Academy and in the young trainees who join the academy. Our message to young people is very clear. Commit to a career in Dunbia and we will invest in your long-term future.”
The Apprentice of the Year Award, the Adam Madden Memorial Trophy, was presented to Josh Bridges by Mandy Madden. “Adam Madden was a young butchery academy trainee who sadly was taken from us much too soon,” explains Andrew Smyth, General Manager Dunbia Sawley. “Adam’s family have continued to support our Butchery Academy and we are delighted to welcome his mother Mandy to present the award to Josh.”
A key principle of the Dunbia Butchery Academy is to develop long-term career opportunities with the potential for advancement across the company. An experienced team of trainers and managers nurture, coach and mentor trainees in a wide range of both industry and life skills as they begin their working life. One of this team, Darren Coiley was presented with a Level 3 Assessors Award at the presentation evening.
“Darren typifies the level of opportunities and career advancement which the Dunbia Butchery Academy offers,” adds Mr Smyth. “Darren has come through the ranks of Dunbia and is now a Level 3 Assessor, training young recruits who join the academy programme.”
The Dunbia Butchery Academy is open to young people aged 16 and over. “Our Butchery Academy offers an excellent opportunity for young people who are looking towards the world of work and want to start earning money, learn new skills and develop a long term career,” concludes Mr Smyth. “Anyone interested in the Butchery Academy should contact Dunbia Sawley or visit our website www.dunbia.com for more information.”
