IoM and WCB celebrate ‘future proofed’ apprenticeship at annual prizegiving event

It was announced at the event that The Butcher Standard Apprenticeship, which itself was launched at Butchers’ Hall a decade ago, has now been formally updated to ‘future proof’ industry-wide butchery skills for the next generation of butchery apprentices.

Over 140 guests gathered at the Butcher’s Hall event to see apprentices, training providers and employers involved in the award-winning apprenticeship receive their prizes, presented by Keith Fisher F .Inst. M, the Chief Executive of the Institute of Meat, together with John Allton Jones, the Master of The Worshipful Company of Butchers.

In total, 12 awards were presented to the following winners:

The category winners each received a cheque for £250, a framed certificate and a year’s free membership of the Institute of Meat.

Champion Meat Apprentice of the Year

The most prized award, ‘Champion Meat Apprentice of the Year’, sponsored by Meat Management magazine, went to Laurissa Barriball of the Brian Etherington Meat Company. Laurissa received a winner’s trophy and certificate, a year’s free membership of the IoM and an additional cash prize of £500.

The judges were impressed with Laurissa’s interest in developing value added meat products and her desire to pass on skills to future apprentices.

Commenting on the prizegiving, Keith Fisher said: “We had a record number of nominations this year, which along with our revitalised butchery apprenticeship is a real indication of the enthusiasm and confidence surrounding butchery today. I’m only sorry we couldn’t award more apprentices. The standard of applicants was superb and it grows stronger every year.”

Also celebrated on the day was the awarding of 13 new Institute of Meat accredited Master Butchers. All have successfully completed the Institute of Meat’s rigorous assessment process and now qualify to use the Master Butcher post nominal letters, MB. Inst. M. The newly recognised Master Butchers are:

Fellowship special award

Pam Brook, past editor of Meat Management magazine and its media portfolio, was awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Meat for her services to the meat industry over many years.

Pam commented: “I was surprised and delighted to receive this award. The IoM / WCB awards prizegiving event is something I always look forward to attending, but not for one minute did I anticipate that I would be awarded a Fellowship. It was a very welcome surprise and I am most grateful for this honour.”

Reflecting on the day, Bill Jermey, Chairman of the Institute of Meat, summed up: “The British meat industry has to adapt constantly to meet the changing demands of consumers. To do that we need the right training, the right people and the right mindset. That’s what we are celebrating today – we have it all within this room.”