Paul – Butcher Apprenticeship

Paul first arrived at Optimum Skills after signing up as an apprentice butcher in August 2018. Previously Paul took voluntary redundancy from his main employment in mining. Paul has a partner and two young children and has taken this opportunity to find a career path that was more suitable for his family commitments. Paul then ran a franchise which taught young children basic cooking skills, introducing them to new foods and where they come from. Paul really enjoyed this but after a couple of years felt he needed to look more towards a role that gave him more career opportunities whilst still fulfilling his passion for food. Paul then applied for an apprentice butcher role with Optimum Skills and with the help and support of the client relations manager Paul was successful in gaining the position.

Paul has now found a new career pathway and opportunity to progress and learn new skills that suits his family commitments. Paul is in the first few months of his apprenticeship and as a mature student, has been challenged to learn new skills in butchery and overcome barriers such as other people’s perceptions of an apprentice.

Paul has been working with his Tutor to develop his skills, knowledge and behaviours’, covering health and safety and food safety as well as learning and developing knife skills.  Because Paul is new to the role, Paul has been doing independent research to work on knowledge-based requirements for food safety and health and safety completing workbooks and presenting his research evidence in his own way. Paul has completed short course online training for Safeguarding and Prevent.

Paul is going to complete his apprenticeship with support from Optimum Skills Tutor along with his mentor at Enfield Butchers, Paul’s has set himself a goal to progress and gain full time employment and promotion within the butcher’s shop.