Is becoming a butcher right for me?
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How to become a Butcher
In the U.S., certification agencies set certain standards that must be met. Butchers often start out as meat cutters in a processing facility and advance to a higher level. Training as a retail butcher can take one to two years to learn the skills needed.
Continuing education is also important in this profession, as meat cutters need to learn new ways of managing evolving meat preferences and food trends. Ongoing scientific knowledge regarding food-borne pathogens and contaminants make these types of seminars and training courses very important.
Butchers may also specialize. Certain religious groups require their meat cut to specific standards, and butchers in this field may require a lengthy apprenticeship and certification process.
A butcher with post secondary education in a related subject, such as a bachelor's degree in dairy science, can advance into managerial or administrative roles.