Industrial Butcher OPERATIONS/PRODUCTION/ SKILLED TRADES INDUSTRIAL BUTCHER 6 Butchery is one of the oldest professions in the food and beverage industry. This profession dates all the way back to the domestication of livestock when butchers formed guilds in England. That’s as far back as 1272! It encompasses the art and skills of cutting, preparing and selling meat products. Although butchery is a vital important profession much of the meat that you purchase in the supermarket is cut and processing in food processing plants. This career profile investigates the exciting careers of butchers – more specifically, the jobs of industrial butchers. They’re similar but not quite the same as retail butchers. The major difference is that industrial butchers primarily work in food processing plants and not supermarkets/specialty stores that cater directly to consumers. 1. Industrial Butchers Prepare and Process Meat Industrial butchers (meat cutters) prepare meat for customers by boning, tying, grinding, cutting and trimming meat. They safely use a combination of knives and specialized equipment to turn farm-raised animals into safe meat products that adhere to industry, governmental and organizational standards. To correctly cut meat, butchers must have a strong knowledge of animal anatomy. Some examples of tasks that they may perform include: • Breaking carcasses into larger cuts for other departments • Preparing individual portions by breaking larger portions of meat • Removing bones and cutting meat into specific cuts During these tasks, industrial butchers will also inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them and any excess fat. Additionally, meat cutters maintain and clean their workstations to reduce the risk of food contamination and adhere to food safety guidelines. Cleaning includes washing down stations, taking apart and putting equipment back together. 2. Butchers Do Not Need Post Secondary Degrees Becoming an industrial butcher is a great career if you are looking for a job that does not require a postsecondary degree. Generally, employers only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Many food processors will hire with no past work experience and are willing to train their employees. However, it is typical that meat cutters will not be immediately placed on the line but instead will perform adjacent meat cutting duties until they are fully trained. This might include assisting with general packing and working on the line. However, in recent years more opportunities have arisen allowing an individual to become a certified meat cutter. For example, Food Processing Skills Canada offers a certified industrial meat cutter certification which recognizes individuals who meet standards defining competence in the meat field. 3. Butchers Understand Meat Although it might sound obvious, butchers truly understand meat. Some trained butchers even learn how to make sausages, cure meat and roll roasts. These techniques are also considered to be an art in themselves. If you want to test this knowledge out for yourselves, drop by your local butcher shop and ask your butcher a few questions. 4. Butchers Know How to Use Processing Equipment Depending on their position, an industrial Industrial Butcher Skillfully crafting quality meat products Did you know? Becoming an industrial butcher is a great position for individuals looking to build a career in manufacturing. A possible career progress could include: - Meat cutter - Lead Hand - Meat Packing Supervisor - Shift Supervisor - Plant Manager
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=