Butchery Apprentice - Chichester

Butchery Apprentice - Chichester

Chichester Apprenticeship 15704 - 25396 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The Goodwood Estate

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Learn traditional butchery skills while preparing high-quality organic meat.
  • Company: Join Goodwood, a renowned estate known for exceptional food and events.
  • Benefits: Enjoy event tickets, health care plans, discounts, and a yearly bonus.
  • Other info: Apprenticeship lasts 18 months with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable farming while gaining valuable skills.
  • Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English preferred; passion for butchery is essential.

The predicted salary is between 15704 - 25396 £ per year.

We are looking for an apprentice to join Goodwood, a reputable estate known for our events and our food. Our apprentice will support Goodwood Home Farm’s mission to produce exceptional, sustainable and organic meat by learning traditional skills alongside our Master Butcher. You will help prepare high quality cuts for the estate’s restaurants and farm shop and be a part of the UK’s largest lowland organic farm. Training will be delivered bi-weekly in person at Plumpton College. There is a coach network which operates within the local area to enable you to get to and from the college.

Hours: 40 hours per week. Days of the week will vary, but a start time of 6.00am, with a finish at 3.00pm.

Salary: £15,704 to £25,396.80 (depending on age & experience)

Application deadline: 16th March 2026 (interviews may occur before this deadline)

About Goodwood: Goodwood is a quintessentially English estate, set in 12,000 acres of rolling West Sussex countryside. Rooted in our heritage, we deliver extraordinary and engaging experiences in modern and authentic ways. But what really sets us apart is our people. It is their passion, enthusiasm and belief in the many things we do that makes Goodwood the unique place it is.

What will the apprentice be doing? The apprentice's duties will vary day to day but will include:

  • Assisting with carcass breakdown, meat preparation, and ageing across beef, lamb, and pork - each organically reared on the estate.
  • Learning to prepare a variety of cuts under expert guidance.
  • Supporting trimming, deboning, tying, grinding, and portioning of meat (General butchery duties referenced from industry standards).
  • Weighing, packaging, and labelling products to high quality standards.
  • Maintaining excellent hygiene and food safety practices, adhering to HACCP and regulatory requirements.
  • Working collaboratively within a passionate, skilled team committed to delivering outstanding organic produce.

Training Provider: Plumpton College

The final certification will be for L2 Butchery. The apprentice will learn:

  • Knife skills - including cutting, boning, trimming and mincing of meat
  • Health and safety practices, food safety and hygiene and key legislation
  • Using butchery tools and machinery – including mincing, sausage making, bacon curing, vacuum packing
  • Cutting whole deer carcasses, in season, from nose to tail.
  • Business profitability, maximising productivity, efficiency and customer care
  • Team work and customer care skills
  • Specialist retail shop or processing plant butchery skills

Qualifications Awarded:

  • Butchery Level 2 Apprenticeship Certificate
  • Level 2 award in food safety
  • Level 2 award in health and safety
  • Level 2 award in knife skills
  • Level 1 in maths and English (if applicable)

Desired Skills:

  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non-judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Communication skills
  • Presentation skills

Qualifications: Math and English GCSE Grade 4 desirable or discussion for completion of Functional Skills Maths and English if not achieved.

Benefits:

  • Tickets to events
  • Health care cash plan
  • Employee well-being programme
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Free parking
  • Yearly group share bonus opportunity
  • Discounts across the estate and Chichester

Things to consider: You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part-time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship. Shorter courses may not apply. You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK. You MUST be located in an area local to the apprenticeship or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study. This apprenticeship is approximately 18 months.

Butchery Apprentice - Chichester employer: The Goodwood Estate

Goodwood is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for aspiring butchers to learn traditional skills in a picturesque setting. With a strong commitment to sustainability and organic farming, apprentices benefit from hands-on training alongside experienced professionals, while enjoying a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. Located in the stunning West Sussex countryside, Goodwood provides a range of benefits including event tickets, healthcare plans, and discounts across the estate, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

The Goodwood Estate

Contact Details:

The Goodwood Estate Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Butchery Apprentice - Chichester

Tip Number 1

Get to know the Goodwood estate and its values! Research their mission on sustainable and organic meat production. When you show genuine interest in what they do, it’ll really help you stand out during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Practice your butchery skills if you can! Even if it's just basic knife skills at home, showing that you’re proactive about learning will impress the team. Plus, it’ll give you a leg up when you start training.

Tip Number 3

Network with current or past apprentices if possible. They can share insider tips and experiences that could be super helpful for your application and interview process. Don’t hesitate to reach out on social media!

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to apply directly. Good luck, and we can’t wait to see you at Goodwood!

We think you need these skills to ace Butchery Apprentice - Chichester

Knife Skills
Carcass Breakdown
Meat Preparation
Trimming
Deboning
Grinding
Portioning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Butchery:When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about butchery and working with organic meat. Share any experiences or interests that connect you to the craft, as we love to see genuine enthusiasm!

Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored specifically for this apprenticeship. Highlight relevant skills, such as teamwork and communication, and mention any experience you have in food preparation or customer service.

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We want to understand who you are and what you bring to the table without wading through unnecessary fluff!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Goodwood!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Goodwood Estate

Know Your Cuts

Familiarise yourself with different cuts of meat and their uses. Being able to discuss your knowledge of butchery, even at a basic level, will show your enthusiasm for the role and your willingness to learn.

Show Your Passion for Sustainability

Goodwood prides itself on sustainable practices. Be prepared to talk about why organic farming and sustainable meat production matter to you. This will demonstrate that you align with the company's values.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some questions about the apprenticeship and the training process at Plumpton College. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the opportunity and eager to learn more about the skills you'll be acquiring.

Demonstrate Team Spirit

Since teamwork is crucial in this role, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully worked as part of a team. Highlighting your collaborative skills will resonate well with the interviewers.