Butchery Apprentice

Butchery Apprentice

Full-Time 15704 - 25396 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
The Goodwood Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Learn traditional butchery skills while preparing high-quality organic meat for restaurants and shops.
  • Company: Join Goodwood, a renowned estate known for its exceptional food and events.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, event tickets, discounts, and a health care cash plan.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable farming while gaining valuable skills in butchery.
  • Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English preferred; passion for food and teamwork essential.
  • Other info: Dynamic apprenticeship with excellent career growth opportunities in the organic food industry.

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 that 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. 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?

  • 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 employer: The Goodwood Group

Goodwood is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for aspiring butchers to learn traditional skills in a stunning West Sussex setting. With a strong focus on sustainability and organic produce, apprentices benefit from expert training, a supportive team environment, and a range of employee perks including event tickets and discounts across the estate. The commitment to personal growth and well-being makes Goodwood a truly rewarding place to start your career in butchery.
The Goodwood Group

Contact Detail:

The Goodwood Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Butchery Apprentice

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know Goodwood! Research the estate, its values, and its mission. When you show up for interviews, drop in some knowledge about their commitment to sustainable and organic meat. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested and not just another applicant.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your butchery skills! Even if you're just starting out, try to get hands-on experience. Whether it’s at home or through a local butcher, showing that you’ve taken the initiative will definitely impress during your interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with others in the industry. Join local butchery groups or forums online. You never know who might have insider tips or even connections at Goodwood that could help you land that apprenticeship!

✨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 time to follow the process. Don’t forget to highlight your passion for butchery and sustainability in your application!

We think you need these skills to ace Butchery Apprentice

Knife Skills
Meat Preparation
Carcass Breakdown
Food Safety Practices
HACCP Knowledge
Teamwork
Communication Skills
Health and Safety Practices
Butchery Tools and Machinery Usage
Attention to Detail
Physical Fitness
Customer Care Skills
Logical Thinking
Creativity
Initiative

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 appreciate straightforwardness, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team!

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, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our estate there.

How to prepare for a job interview at The Goodwood Group

✨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 estate's values.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some questions about the apprenticeship, the training at Plumpton College, or the team you'll be working with. This shows you're genuinely interested and engaged, plus it gives you a chance to assess if it's the right fit for you.

✨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 ability to collaborate will resonate well with the interviewers.

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