More Youngsters Needed in Butchery

Fodder, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s food hall, said there are opportunities in the sector which would appeal to the 900,000 young people who are currently unemployed.

Paul Nicholson, a master butcher at Fodder, said, “Many butchers are desperate for eager young people to learn the skills of the trade and continue the art of traditional British butchery that is in danger of being lost. We’ve seen a huge decline in butchers over the past ten years and much of this is due to the lack of younger generations moving into the industry to continue the treasured traditions and skills found in a good butcher.

“The butchery trade needs to broaden its appeal to young people and one of the ways of doing that is offering apprenticeships and giving young people a viable career, developing skills and gaining qualifications. They learn the basics at college but it is here, behind the butchery counter, they can build on this knowledge and gain the customer service skills necessary to be a great butcher.”