You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

• professional butchery
• proficiency in meat and poultry industry skills

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could get into this job by doing a Butcher Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, then move on to the Butcher Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Each apprenticeship can take up to 2 years to complete and combines workplace training with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You can start as a trainee in a butcher's shop and learn on the job. Knowledge of the meat trade, meat processing or experience in food retailing may help you to find a trainee position.

You'll need:

• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of food production methods
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Some employers will want you to have a Level 2 Award in Food Safety. This can be taken as a 1-day course and is widely available through colleges and private training providers.

On a typical day you could:

• receive stock deliveries and put them into cold storage
• create product displays
• cut, bone and trim meat
• serve customers
• clean knives, cutting equipment and work areas

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.