Isle of Man Meats has set up a new butchery training scheme as part of its long-term investment in the island’s food production sector.

The scheme is being run in partnership with M.E.A.T Ipswich, which is a leading, specialist provider of high-quality training to the meat industry with 35 years’ experience in the trade.

Successful trainees will receive an NVQ Level 2 in Meat Processing, a qualification based on continual assessment.

It can take anything from six months to two years to complete, depending upon each individual trainee’s experience, skills and ability to learn.

Some trainees may be school leavers without any experience in the meat trade, while others may have experience from working in butcher’s shops and would like their skills to be recognised.

Phil Parsons, plant director, Isle of Man Meats, said: ’Traditionally, the skills of local butchers have been handed down from one generation to the next but - as we have seen in many other industries - there’s now a risk that these skills could be lost because today’s generation of school leavers have so many opportunities when choosing their career path.

’That’s why we have decided to set up this new training scheme which is part of our broader investment in the future of the food and farming industry on the island.’

The scheme is being led by Stuart Rae from Isle of Man Meats, an experienced local butcher. His first trainee is Alistair Barnes.

Managing director of M.E.A.T Ipswich Jane Dale said: ’We’re delighted to be working with Isle of Man Meats to develop and deliver their butchery training scheme.

’The trainees who are awarded the NVQ will have a qualification that’s recognised across the industry in the Isle of Man and UK, and the knowledge and skills they need to follow their chosen career paths.’

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson MHK said: ’The Department of Education, Sport and Culture is pleased to support the setting up and running of this new initiative through the apprenticeship scheme.

’It is fantastic to see Isle of Man Meats taking steps to ensure that formal qualifications are going to be available for people working in this business and to encourage more young people to take up this occupation in the future which is essential to the island’s economy.’

Seventeen-year-old Robert Fair is already an apprentice butcher at Manx Local Butchers in Pulrose.

Last summer Robert became the first new apprentice in a decade to enter the butchery trade in the island. Robert is enjoying on-the-job training, learning about the different cuts of meat, and the practical skills every butcher needs in a busy local business.

He is already able to make burgers, square sausage and mince - and dice meat for stewing.

A perk of the job is that he also gets to take home and cook some of the delicious joints, steaks, and sausages he makes.

Robert is learning from shop manager and master butcher Dylan Williamson, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the trade.

Following in the footsteps of his father Andrew who was a butcher for many years, and with an uncle and grandfather who were also in the trade, Robert is ensuring that their traditional skills will be kept alive for generations to come.

Details of this or any other government apprenticeship offering can be found by visiting gov.im and searching for apprenticeships.