Qualified Butcher / Butcher Skills Trainer

Location: Northern Ireland - flexible base with travel across an agreed territory. The majority of training will be delivered across Mid-Ulster and the surrounding areas, including Cookstown, Dungannon, Ballymena and Derry/Londonderry. The successful candidate's specific territory and areas of responsibility will be agreed upon appointment, taking account of business requirements and their location.

Salary: £15.00-£16.75 per hour, depending on experience. Equivalent to approximately £27,600-£30,800 per annum, based on a 35.35-hour working week.

Contract Type: Full-time, permanent. Part-time opportunities may also be considered, and there may be scope for overtime or additional hours depending on business and training requirements. Full-time hours are 35.35 hours per week:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:45am-5:00pm
• Friday: 8:45am-4:00pm

The Role: Happy Jobs NI is delighted to be representing a well-established and respected training and education provider specialising in industry-recognised qualifications for the meat and poultry processing sector. Due to continued growth and the onboarding of new employer clients, the organisation is seeking a Qualified Butcher / Butcher Skills Trainer to join its expanding delivery team. This opportunity is particularly suited to an experienced butcher who is ready to use their practical knowledge in a different way. You may currently be working as a qualified butcher, craft butcher, production butcher, meat processing operative, boning hall specialist or butchery supervisor and be interested in progressing into training, assessment and workforce development. Previous teaching or tutoring experience is not essential. If you have completed a recognised butchery apprenticeship, hold a relevant industry qualification and have experience supporting, mentoring or demonstrating tasks to colleagues, we would be keen to speak with you. Your practical butchery and meat processing experience will be central to the role. You will help learners develop the technical skills, confidence and knowledge required to achieve recognised vocational qualifications and progress within the meat and poultry industry. Candidates already working as a Butchery Trainer, Meat Skills Trainer, Specialist Skills Trainer, In-house Trainer or Vocational Assessor are also strongly encouraged to apply. You will deliver practical and theory-based training and assessment for vocational qualifications at Levels 2 and 3. Training will take place in classroom environments and on-site at employer premises across Northern Ireland. Most training activity will be focused across Mid-Ulster and the surrounding areas. The successful candidate's individual territory will be agreed upon appointment based on operational needs and their home location.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver practical butchery, meat processing and poultry processing training to learners at different stages of their development.
• Demonstrate safe and effective techniques, including cutting, boning, trimming, portioning and general meat preparation where relevant to the qualification.
• Deliver theory-based sessions covering industry knowledge, food safety, workplace standards and vocational skills.
• Assess learners' practical ability, technical knowledge and workplace competence.
• Provide constructive one-to-one feedback to help learners improve their skills and achieve their qualifications.
• Support learners in compiling portfolios of evidence in line with awarding-body requirements.
• Develop and review individual learning plans based on each learner's ability and support needs.
• Adapt training materials and delivery methods for different learning styles, including learners whose first language is not English.
• Maintain accurate learner records, assessment paperwork and monitoring documentation.
• Work closely with meat and poultry employers to upskill their workforce and support recognised qualifications.
• Act as an academic and pastoral point of contact for learners throughout their programme.
• Travel throughout the agreed territory to deliver training at employer and training locations.
• Complete other appropriate duties aligned with the level and responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification / About You:

Essential:

• Practical experience working as a butcher or within a meat or poultry processing environment.
• A minimum Level 3 qualification in butchery, meat and poultry industry skills or a closely related discipline.
• Experience training, mentoring, supervising or demonstrating practical tasks to colleagues.
• GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications.
• Strong communication, organisational and time-management skills.
• The confidence to share practical knowledge with learners from different backgrounds and experience levels.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
• A flexible approach and willingness to travel across an agreed territory within Northern Ireland.
• Qualified butchers and candidates who have completed a recognised butchery apprenticeship are strongly encouraged to apply.

Desirable, but not essential:

• A Level 4 or higher qualification in butchery, meat and poultry industry skills, food manufacturing or a related subject.
• Experience working as a craft butcher, production butcher, butchery supervisor, meat skills trainer or in-house trainer.
• An assessor qualification, such as D33, A1 or the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.
• A teaching or training qualification, such as a Level 4 Teaching Certificate, PGCE or equivalent.
• Experience delivering NVQs, apprenticeships or other vocational qualifications.
• Confidence using ICT systems for learner tracking, assessment and administration.

Benefits:

• Competitive hourly rate of £15.00-£16.75, depending on experience.
• Potential opportunity for overtime or additional hours, subject to business requirements.
• Personal performance-related bonus for achieving agreed targets.
• Employer pension contribution.
• Pool car and fuel card provided for business travel.
• Industry-leading holiday allowance.
• Christmas shopping day.
• Equipment support pack.
• Funded training and professional qualification opportunities.
• Support for experienced butchers moving into a training or assessment role.
• The opportunity to join a growing training organisation during an exciting period of expansion.

How to Apply: If you are a qualified butcher looking for a new direction, this could be an excellent opportunity to build on your industry experience and help develop the next generation of meat and poultry professionals. Whether you are an experienced Butcher Skills Trainer or a practical butcher considering your first formal training role, apply today with your CV to find out more. Happy Jobs NI is proud to be the exclusive recruitment partner for this vacancy.