Overview
Butchers prepare and sell meat and poultry, and make meat products like sausages, burgers and pies.
Day-to-day tasks:
- buy, order, store and control stock
- receive deliveries and check their content and hygiene
- move meat stock to cold storage areas
- create product displays
- cut, bone and trim meat
- serve customers
- advise customers on how to prepare and cook meat
Organisations
Supermarket butchers, in an independent high street butchers, or you could work in a food manufacturing factory as a butcher, preparing the food.
Workplace
You could work in a factory or at a store. Your working environment may be cool and physically demanding. You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.
Working Hours
Butchers generally work between 43-45 hours a week, although there are opportunities for part-time work. Many jobs offer part-time work only.
Average Salary
Starting salary £16,000 – £26,000.
Qualifications
You can start as a trainee or assistant butcher and learn on the job. Knowledge of the meat trade or experience in food retailing may help you find a trainee job.
Some employers will want you to have a Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Retail or Catering. This can be taken as a 1-day course and is widely available through colleges and private training providers.
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant subjects include:
- Level 2 Diploma in Butchery
- Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma For Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills