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Pathway

Butchery and Meat Processing

The content of this Pathway has been agreed by National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD). This is the only Apprenticeship Pathway in the Food and Drink sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Welsh Government funding.

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

  • Qualifications,
  • Essential Skills
  • On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway Butchery and Meat Processing is 56 credits (made up of the total on-and off-the-job training for all the components).

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Advanced Butchery and Meat Processing is 57 credits (made up of the total on-and off-the-job training for all the components).

Entry requirements

Examples include:

  • Academic routes (e.g. GCSEs, Welsh Baccalaureate)
  • By completing vocational qualifications
  • Participation on employer placement
  • Work experience
  • Training

Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Apprenticeship. This will be assessed during an initial assessment allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where appropriate.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Butchery and Meat Processing

Level 2: Butchery and Meat Processing Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualifications and the mandatory knowledge qualification listed below.

Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Butchery and Meat Processing (Wales)
Awarding Body Qualification No. Credit Value Total Qualification Time Combined / Competence / Knowledge Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
FDQ C00/4561/6 37 370 Combined English Only
Level 2 Award in Knife Skills for Food Processing
Awarding Body Qualification No. Credit Value Total Qualification Time Combined / Competence / Knowledge Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
FDQ C00/2303/6 601/0389/9 6 60 Combined English Only

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualifications.

Mandatory Qualification. the knowledge qualification below is a mandatory unit on knife skills. Level 2 - Award in HACCP-Based Food Safety Systems
Awarding Body Qualification No. Credit Value Total Qualification Time Combined / Competence / Knowledge Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
FDQ C00/1151/7 601/8970/8 1 9 Knowledge English Only

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 2: Butchery and Meat Processing Level Minimum Credit Value
Communication 1 6
Application of number 1 6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

Pathway Minimum On the Job Training Hours Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 2: Butchery and Meat Processing 96 270

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

The recommended minimum pathway duration time for completion is 12 months.

Total minimum credit value for the pathway qualifications: 44 credits

Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Communication and Application of Number: 12 credits

Total on and off-the-job training minimum training hours: 366 learning hours

  • Competence = minimum 66 hours
  • Knowledge = minimum 136 hours
  • Essential Skills Wales (notional value 45 hours x 2) = 90 hours
  • Mentoring, training and support activities 44 weeks x 1 hour/week = 44 hours
  • On the job mentoring = 30 hours

Minimum off-the-job training hours = 270 training hours

  • Knowledge component of - Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills = 119 hours
  • Knowledge component of - Level 2 Award in Knife Skills for Food Processing = 9 hours
  • Knowledge component of - Level 2 Award in HACCP-Based Food Safety Systems = 8 hours
  • Essential Skills Wales and off- the- job mentoring = 134 hours

Minimum on-the-job training hours = 96 training hours

  • Competence component of - Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills = 44 hours
  • Competence component of - Level 2 Award in Knife Skills for Food Processing = 22 hours
  • On the job mentoring = 30 hours
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
  • 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
  • 6 credits/45 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Advanced Butchery and Meat Processing

Level 3: Advanced Butchery and Meat Processing Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.

Level 3 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills
Awarding Body Qualification No. Credit Value Total Qualification Time Combined / Competence / Knowledge Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s)
FDQ C00/0317/3 600/0510/5 37 370 Combined English Only

Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Level 3: Advanced Butchery and Meat Processing Level Minimum Credit Value
Communication 2 6
Application of number 2 6

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

Pathway Minimum On the Job Training Hours Minimum Off the Job Training Hours
Level 3: Advanced Butchery and Meat Processing 116 302

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

The recommended minimum pathway duration time for completion is 18 months.

Total minimum credit value for the combined competence and knowledge qualification: 45 credits (minimum credit of defined apprenticeship specification)

Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Communication and Application of Number: 12 credits

Total on and off-the-job training minimum training hours: 418 learning hours

  • Competence = minimum 71 hours
  • Knowledge = 146 minimum  hours
  • Essential Skills Wales (notional value 45 hours x 2) = 90 hours
  • Mentoring, training and support activities 66 weeks x 1 hour/week = 66 hours
  • On the job mentoring = 45 hours

Minimum off-the-job training hours =  302 training hours

  • Knowledge component of - Level 3 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills =  146 hours
  • Essential Skills Wales and off- the- job mentoring = 156 hours

Minimum on-the-job training hours = 116 training hours

  • Competence component of - Level 3 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills = 71 hours
  • On the job mentoring = 45 hours
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
  • 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
  • 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Other additional requirements

There are no additional requirements other than the general entry conditions.

Progression

Progression from the Foundation Apprenticeship in Food and Drink (Butchery and Meat Processing):

Examples include:

  • Into employment, for example, as a butcher or meat and poultry operative;
  • Direct career progression onto a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Food and Drink (Butchery and Meat Processing) pathway or any other suitable to the apprentices role and career plans;
  • Development into a different role at the same level or higher;
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Level 3.

Many career options become available to the Apprentice on successful completion of the framework.

Progression from the Apprenticeship in Food and Drink (Butchery and Meat Processing):

Examples include:

  • Into employment, for example, as a specialist butcher or specialist operations manager (meat and poultry);
  • Onto the Higher Apprenticeship (level 4) in Food and Drink (Food Manufacturing Excellence) pathway;
  • Into further or higher education;
  • Career progression e.g. to a higher role, or specialised role at the same level.

Many career options become available to the apprentice on successful completion of the framework.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

The food and drink industry in Wales is predominantly male, making up over two-thirds (68%) of the workforce; 32% are female. In comparison, a more balanced gender distribution exists across all industries in Wales where 53% are male and 47% are female. Between 2006 and 2011, the male share of the workforce increased by 7% (13,000 to 13,800) whereas the female share of the workforce declined by 4% (6,900 to 6,600). 36% of Welsh food and drink employees fall within the 45 to 54 years age group; 8% are aged 30 to 34; and only 17% are aged 16 to 29 years. The 16 to 29 years age group is considerably smaller than the other UK nations. In comparison, Northern Ireland has 38% of its food and drink workforce in this age group, England has 26% and Scotland has 25%.

Over two-thirds (68%) of the current workforce will be eligible for retirement in the next 20 years. It is notable that 3,500 non-UK nationals are estimated to be working in the Welsh food and drink industry in 2011, an increase of 86% since 2006. (Skills Insights and Labour Market Facts about the Food and Drink Manufacturing and Processing industry in Wales 2013-2014, Improve Limited 2013)

This pathway is an important route to encourage greater diversity within the industry and the following actions are being taken to promote equality and inclusion:

  • Ongoing monitoring of data to identify any issues and intervene where necessary
  • Promotion of the industry to a diverse audience though our careers website Tasty Careers www.tastycareers.org.uk and Tasty Careers Ambassadors
  • Apprenticeship workshops to raise awareness of the benefits of Apprenticeships to employers

All partners involved in the delivery of apprenticeships, including training providers, centres and employers, must be committed to a policy of equal opportunities and must have robust equality and diversity policies and procedures.

 

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years - 18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from:

Welsh Government
DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales

Annex 1 - Level 2: Diploma for Proficiency in Butchery and Meat Processing (Wales)

Total units required for the qualification is 12

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 370 hours and Guided Learning Hours is 242 hours

Process Butchery/Lairage sub pathway

Group A – Mandatory 2 units

Group B – Underpinning Knowledge At least 4 units

Group C1 – Process and abattoir At least 6 units

Minimum credits required 37 credits

Retail Butchery sub pathway

Group A – Mandatory 2 units

Group B – Underpinning knowledge At least 4 units

Group C2 - Retail Butchery At least 6 units

Minimum credits required 37 credits

Group A and C are integrated units (combined occupational skill and occupational knowledge).

Group B are knowledge only units.

Please see link below for qualification specification:

6ac785_2337094153a54c979308be485b8f3a37.pdf (fdq.org.uk)

 

Annex 2 - Level 3: Advanced Butchery and Meat Processing

An integrated qualification at Level 3, which combines competence and technical knowledge elements in which each element is separately assessed and in which each element carries at least ten credits on the QCF.

Butchery and Meat Processing L3 Specification

To achieve the apprenticeship, qualification units that deliver against at least 15 of the current National Occupational Standards or underpinning knowledge units should be taken in total:

  • 3 from Mandatory Group A
  • 4 from the Meat & Poultry Industry Group B
  • 4 underpinning knowledge units from Group D
  • And at least a further 4 from Optional Groups B, C or D

Mandatory Group A

All qualification units should be taken to meet the mandatory NOS requirements of this group.

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPFS110

Monitor food safety at critical control points in food and drink operations

Monitor food safety at critical control points in operations

3

1

5

IMPHS307

Monitor health, safety and environmental management systems in food manufacture

Monitor health, safety and environmental systems in food operations

3

2

12

Understand how to monitor health, safety and environmental management systems in food operations

3

3

20

IMPQI103

Monitor and maintain product quality in food and drink operations

Monitor product quality in food operations

3

3

20

Understand how to control product quality in food operations

3

2

10

 

Butchery and Meat Processing Sector Group B

Qualification units mapped to at least 4 NOS should be taken from this group. Qualification units should only be taken once – there are instances where one qualification unit maps to multiple NOS in this group.

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPSD507

Arrange transport scheduling for delivery of livestock in operations

Arrange transport scheduling for the delivery of livestock in food operations

3

2

8

Understand how to arrange transport scheduling for the delivery of livestock in food operations

3

2

12

IMPSD513

Monitor and control reception of livestock in food operations

Monitor and control reception of livestock in food operations

3

2

9

Understand how to monitor the reception of livestock in food operations

3

2

12

IMPSD523

Monitor the health and welfare of livestock pre-slaughter in food operations

Monitor the health and welfare of livestock pre-slaughter in food operations

3

2

9

Understand how to monitor the health and welfare of livestock pre-slaughter in food operations

3

2

12

IMPSD527

Maintain lairage and ante mortem facilities in food operations

Maintain lairage and ante-mortem facilities in food operations

3

2

10

Understand how to maintain lairage and ante-mortem facilities in food operations

3

2

12

IMPMP201

Monitor bleeding for Kosher meat

Monitor bleeding for Kosher meat

3

2

8

Understand how to monitor bleeding for Kosher meat

3

2

14

IMPMP229

Monitor slaughter operations in meat processing

Monitor slaughter operations in meat processing

3

3

21

Understand how to monitor slaughter operations in meat processing

3

2

11

 

 

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPMP203

Monitor carcase production in meat or poultry processing

Monitor carcase operations in meat processing

3

3

22

Understand how to monitor carcase operations in meat processing

3

2

12

IMPMP205

Monitor an automated meat or poultry processing system

Monitor an automated meat/poultry processing system

3

3

17

Understand how to monitor an automated meat/poultry processing system

3

2

12

IMPMP207

Classify meat or poultry carcasses

Classify meat or poultry carcases

3

3

12

Principles of classification of meat and poultry carcases

3

3

21

IMPMP219

Monitor the recovery of meat and poultry processing by-products

Monitor the recovery of by-products and disposal of waste in meat processing

3

3

24

Understand how to monitor the recovery of by-products and disposal of waste in meat processing

3

2

15

IMPMP231

Monitor the recovery of co-products and disposal of waste in meat processing

Monitor the recovery of co-products and disposal of waste in meat processing

3

3

24

Understand how to monitor the recovery of co-products and disposal of waste in meat processing

3

2

15

IMPMP221

Monitor primal butchery in meat processing

Monitor primal butchery in meat processing

3

3

17

Understand how to monitor primal butchery in meat processing

3

2

13

IMPMP223

Monitor secondary butchery in meat processing

Monitor secondary butchery in meat processing

3

3

17

Understand how to monitor secondary butchery in meat processing

3

2

13

IMPMP225

Monitor butchery in sales operations

Monitor butchery in sales operations

3

3

19

Understand how to monitor butchery in sales operations

3

2

15

 

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPMP227

Monitor the manufacture of meat products

Monitor the manufacture of meat products/preparations

3

3

15

Understand how to monitor the manufacture of meat products/preparations

3

2

13

IMPMP233

Monitor treatment operations in meat processing

Monitor treatment operations in meat processing

3

3

16

Understand how to monitor treatment operations in meat processing

3

2

15

IMPMP235

Monitor the slicing and wrapping of meat and meat products

Monitor the slicing and wrapping of meat/meat products

3

3

15

Understand how to monitor the slicing and wrapping of meat/meat products

3

2

13

IMPSO407

Maximise sales of food and drink products in a retail environment

Maximise sales in a food retail environment

3

4

20

Understand how to maximise sales in a food retail environment

3

3

24

IMPSO419

Set up and maintain operations in food and drink retail manufacture

Set up and maintain food retail operations

3

3

20

Understand how to co-ordinate food retail operations

3

2

14

IMPSO420

Monitor effectiveness of operations in food and drink retail manufacture

Monitor effectiveness of food retail operations

3

2

12

Understand how to co-ordinate food retail operations

3

2

14

IMPSO509

Plan and co-ordinate food services

Plan and co-ordinate food services

3

3

18

Understand how to plan and co-ordinate food services

3

3

25

IMPSO513

Set up and maintain food service operations in food manufacture

Set up and maintain food service operations in food operations

3

2

14

Understand how to set up and maintain food service operations

3

2

16

 

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPSO514

Monitor effectiveness of food service operations in food manufacture

Monitor effectiveness of food service operations

3

2

14

Understand how to set up and maintain food service operations

3

2

16

IMPSD111

Organise the receipt and storage of goods in food and drink operations

Organise the receipt and storage of goods and materials in food operations

3

3

15

Understand how to organise the receipt and storage of goods and materials in food operations

3

3

18

IMPSD113

Monitor and maintain storage conditions in food and drink operations

Monitor and maintain storage conditions in food operations

3

3

14

IMPSD114

Monitor stored goods and materials in food and drink operations

Monitor stored goods and materials in food operations

3

2

11

IMPSD116

Monitor and maintain storage systems and procedures in food and drink operations

Monitor and maintain storage systems and procedures in food operations

3

2

10

Understand how to monitor and maintain storage systems and procedures in food operations

3

2

10

 

Support Operations Group C

Qualification units should only be taken once – there are instances where one qualification unit maps to multiple NOS in this group.

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPQI224

Manage organisational change and improvement in food operations

Manage organisational change for achieving excellence in food operations

3

4

21

Understand how to manage organisational change for achieving excellence in food operations

3

3

17

IMPEM105

Maintain plant and equipment in food and drink operations

Maintain plant and equipment in food operations

3

4

26

Understand how to maintain plant and equipment in food operations

3

3

23

IMPQI111

Interpret and communicate information and data in food and drink operations

Interpret and communicate information and data in food operations

3

3

18

Understand how to interpret and communicate information and data in food operations

3

3

14

IMPSF111

Control and monitor energy efficiency in a food environment

Control energy efficiency in a food operations

3

3

13

IMPFS111

Contribute to continuous improvement of food safety in food and drink operations

Contribute to continuous improvement of food safety in operations

3

3

20

Understand how to contribute to continuous improvement of food safety in operations

3

4

30

IMPQI113

Carry out sampling in food and drink operations

Carry out sampling for quality control in food operations

3

2

8

 

Understand  how to carry out sampling for quality control in food operations

3

3

26

 

IMPFS126

Report on food safety compliance in food and drink operations

Report on compliance with food safety requirements in operations

4

4

26

Understand how to report on compliance with food safety requirements in operations

4

4

20

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPFS120

Control and monitor safe supply of raw materials and ingredients in food and drink operations

Control and monitor safe supply of raw materials and ingredients in food operations

3

1

6

Understand how to control and monitor safe supply of raw materials and ingredients in food operations

3

3

20

IMPPM114

Evaluate production performance in food and drink operations

Evaluate and improve production in food manufacture

3

3

16

Understand how to manage and evaluate production performance in food manufacture

3

2

15

IMPPM116

Improve production performance in food and drink operations

Evaluate and improve production in food manufacture

3

3

16

Understand how to manage and evaluate production performance in food manufacture

3

2

15

IMPPM103

Plan production schedules in food and drink operations

Plan production schedules in food and drink operations

3

3

21

Understand how to plan production schedules in food manufacture

3

2

14

IMPPO115

Contribute to optimising work areas in food and drink operations

Contribute to optimising work areas in food manufacture

3

3

26

Understand how to contribute to optimising work areas in food manufacture

3

3

15

IMPPO117

Diagnose production problems in food and drink operations

Diagnose problems in food operations

3

3

14

Understand how to diagnose problems in food operations

3

3

16

IMPPO119

Resolve production problems in food and drink operations

Resolve problems in food operations

3

3

16

Understand how to resolve problems in food operations

3

4

22

 

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPQI105

Monitor and control quality of work activities in food and drink operations

Monitor and control throughput to achieve targets in food operations

3

2

9

Understand how to monitor and control throughput to achieve targets in food operations

3

3

15

IMPSD306

Set up and maintain picking and packing orders in food and drink operations

Set up and maintain picking and packing orders in food operations

3

3

18

Understand how to co-ordinate picking and packing orders in food operations

3

2

14

IMPSD307

Monitor effectiveness of picking and packing operations in food and drink operations

Monitor effectiveness of picking and packing operations in food operations

3

2

12

Understand how to co-ordinate picking and packing orders in food operations

3

2

14

IMPSD319

Monitor wrapping and labelling of products in food and drink operations

Monitor wrapping and labelling of products in food and drink operations

3

2

10

Understand how to plan and co-ordinate wrapping and labelling in food operations

3

2

12

IMPSD325

Monitor effectiveness of despatch and transport operations in food and drink operations

Monitor effectiveness of despatch and transport in food operations

3

2

10

Understand how to co-ordinate despatch and transport of orders in food operations

3

2

10

 

Underpinning Knowledge Group D

At least 3 units should be taken from this group.

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPMP105K

Principles of breed and pre-slaughter selection of meat and poultry species

Principles of breed and pre-slaughter selection of meat and poultry species

3

3

27

IMPMP106/7K

Principles of rearing and welfare of meat species

Principles of rearing and welfare of meat species

4

5

37

IMPMP153K

Principles of butchery

Principles of butchery

3

3

24

IMPMP163K

Principles of curing meat

Principles of curing meat

3

3

22

IMPMP176K

Principles of a specialist raw meat and poultry sales service

Principles of a specialist raw meat and poultry sales service

3

3

23

IMPMP177K

Principles of a specialist cooked meat and poultry sales service

Principles of a specialist cooked meat and poultry sales service

3

3

23

IMPMP209K

Principles of microbiology and parasitology in meat production

Principles of microbiology and parasitology in meat production

4

3

24

IMPMP210/ 211K

Principles of anatomy and physiology of meat species

Principles of anatomy and physiology of meat species

4

5

37

IMPMP212/ 213K

Principles of pathology of meat species

Principles of pathology of meat species

4

5

37

IMPMP216K

Principles of technology in meat processing

Principles of technology in meat processing

3

3

21

IMPMP217K

Principles of meat science

Principles of meat science

4

5

37

IMPMP218K

Principles of adding value to meat and poultry products

Principles of adding value to meat and poultry products

3

3

24

IMPMP220K

Principles of animal waste and by- product removal and processing of edible co-products

Principles of animal waste and by- product removal and processing of edible co-products

3

3

24

IMPFT118K

Principles of weights and measures in food technology

Principles of weights and measures in food technology

3

4

30

IMPFT123K

Principles of freezing methods in food technology

Principles of freezing methods in food technology

3

4

30

 

NOS Reference

NOS

Mapping to Current Qualification Units

Level

Credit

GLH

IMPFT128K

Principles of gelatine biochemistry in food science

Principles of gelatine biochemistry in food science

3

4

35

IMPFT138K

Principles of lipid functionality in food science

Principles of lipid functionality in food science

3

4

35

IMPFT139K

Principles of protein functionality in food science

Principles of protein functionality in food science

3

4

32

IMPFT155K

Principles of food labelling in food operations

Principles of food labelling in food operations

3

4

30

IMPFS110.3K

The Principles of HACCP for food manufacturing

The Principles of HACCP for food manufacturing

3

3

20

IMPQI207K

Principles of continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen) in food operations

Principles of continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen) in food operations

3

3

15

IMPSF102K

Principles of sustainability in food operations

Principles of sustainability in food operations

3

4

34

 


Document revisions

22 September 2021