Butchery sector celebrates as new apprenticeship standard receives ministerial approval
Butchery sector celebrates as new apprenticeship standard receives ministerial approval
The new butchery apprenticeship standard developed over the last seven months by a range of employers including Morrisons, Aubrey Allen, Fairfax Meadow, Bernard Matthews and Tulip Ltd has been formally published today following ministerial approval.
Lucianne Allen, chair of the trailblazer group Aubrey Allen said: “This new standard will be responsive to the needs of our industry.”
These trailblazing butchery businesses, along with the wider sector, will be celebrating as months of hard work in reforming the butchery apprenticeship to meet the future needs of the sector has paid off. The apprenticeship standard has now been published and will replace current frameworks as part of the Government’s employer driven Trailblazer Strategy.
Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “I’m delighted that the Butchery Trailblazer Employer Group has developed a new apprenticeship standard in Butchery.
“Since 2010 there have been 1.8 million apprenticeship starts and the Butchery Trailblazer is leading by example in the development and delivery of high quality apprenticeships that give people the chance of successful careers and help businesses get the skills they need to grow.”
Lucianne Allen, Chair of the trailblazer group and Sales and Marketing Director of Aubrey Allen said: “This new standard will be responsive to the needs of our industry, meaning that each apprentice we train will have the skills, knowledge and behaviours we require. Our business is very much looking forward to the new standard coming into effect in 2015.”
The Food and Drink Training and Education Council Ltd (ftc) which has provided support to this group of trailblazing employers would like to offer their congratulations. “We are delighted to receive this announcement today, it is testimony to the hard work which the employer led group has put into this reform, said Bill Jermey chief executive of ftc.
“Today is a real milestone for the sector, one which will have a strong and positive impact on the future of the industry in terms of the way in which we can develop the skills and knowledge of young butchers. At ftc we welcome the new approach to apprenticeships that the government is taking. And we could not be more pleased with the quality of this new butchery standard, very well done to all involved.”
An employer member of the trailblazer group, Colin Taylor Training Manager at Fairfax Meadow catering butchers said: “It is fantastic that the new standard has received ministerial approval today. The trailblazer group brought together the different concepts of the meat industry as one to develop the framework to reflect the diversity of the butchery trade.
“The standard has maintained the heritage and history of the art of butchery whilst delivering a modern day apprenticeship. It gives the opportunity to develop excellence for the future sustainability and growth of the meat industry,” concludes Colin.
Ally Patterson, Group Learning and Development Manager at Tulip Ltd, the largest producer of Pork in the UK was also involved and said recently: “Tulip is delighted to have been involved in this industry-led project, which will help to ensure we develop the next generation of skilled butchers to the best standards possible. We welcome the Ministerial approval for the apprenticeship standard and look forward to its introduction in 2015.”
“I am particularly pleased that the new standard in butchery been approved and published. Its content is truly industry led and will provide a very strong basis for the future of apprenticeships in the meat and poultry sector,” confirmed John Mettrick, Director of JW Mettrick & Son and President of the National Federation of Meat and Food traders.
