Highland Meats launches new Butchery Academy

  • Comprehensive 12-month course with accredited qualification
  • Dunbia keen to keep critical skill alive as demand for local beef rises
  • 60% reduction in independent butchers in last 25 years

Highland Meats of Saltcoats has today launched their new Butchery Academy in collaboration with Scottish Meat Training. The new programme, lasting between twelve and fourteen months, will provide education in what is a dying trade in the UK. With the demand for local beef rising, Highland Meats’ owner Dunbia wants to ensure that the future of the industry is protected through teaching and upskilling.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there are now approximately 6,000 independent butchers in the UK but that is down from around 15,000 in 1990. Dunbia has recognised the important role butchers play in communities in providing top quality, local meat and have launched the Butchery Academy with Scottish Meat Training to protect and enhance this vital industry.
Hands-on training is central to developing butchery skills, and Dunbia’s re-development work at Highland Meats over the summer has created the perfect place for the apprentices to hone their skills. The apprentices will start off by learning the basics of trimming and the different cuts of meat as they progress through the course. Craft Butchers from Scottish Meat Training will be visiting Highland Meats to assess the apprentices’ performance as they work toward a Level 2 accreditation in food and drink operations (meat skills). This accreditation is a recognised qualification across the industry.

Speaking at the launch of the Butchery Academy Steven Dobson, Butchery Academy Manager at Highland Meats, said:

“With demand for quality local beef constantly rising, we want to ensure that butchery as a profession can keep pace with this trend. For something which was once a hugely desirable vocation, butchery has been declining in recent years, particularly amongst young people. Dunbia is keen to attract people to the profession, as well as upskill those already working in it, so that top quality produce remains accessible to the consumer. I wish all of our new apprentices’ the best of luck in their studies”.

Highland Meats launches new Butchery Academy 1

 

Agriculture

Working across key areas such as supply chain, animal welfare, and sustainable agriculture, you will get involved in all aspects of the agriculture and research and development areas within the business.

Environmental

This varied role will provide you with an opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the Environmental department and participate in continuous improvement projects within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Human Resources

As your skills and knowledge develop over time, you will get involved in all aspects of HR within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and your responsibility will increase.

Retail National Account Management

This exciting role will see you gain a wide range of business experience skills, providing support to major UK retail supermarket customer accounts. 

Operations & Commercial

Work in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment gaining a hands-on experience across all aspects of operations, production and commercial with a focus on continuous improvement. 

New Product Development

You will be involved in supporting and managing the NPD process to ensure new and re-developed products are launched successfully. 

Livestock procurement

An exciting opportunity to learn about all areas of livestock procurement within the business, gaining a full understanding of production and operations.

Food Safety & Quality

A hands-on opportunity to understand and impact on food safety, quality and animal welfare across a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Ensuring legislative compliance, customer excellence and continuous improvement.

Mechanical Engineering

As an engineering graduate you will be hands on and, on the go, working in a fast paced, busy environment overseeing electrical, mechanical and automation projects in a food manufacturing business.

Accounting & Finance

Gain a robust understanding in all aspects of the Finance Function with support at every step of the way to attain the professional qualifications needed to become a finance leader of the future.