The Minister of State for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD, announced today that an innovative pilot training programme is to be provided by FÁS in conjunction with the National Butchery Academy, Ballinasloe.
The programme in 'Butchery Skills specialising in Beef De-boning and Trimming' has been endorsed by a number of leading meat processing companies such as AIBP, Dawn Meats, Kepak, Dunbia, Kildare Chilling, Rosderra Meats, Ashbourne Meats, Jennings Meats.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Cannon said: "I am delighted to be here today to launch this pilot programme.
"There are a significant number of job opportunities available in the meat processing industry for people who have these skills and this pilot programme is a good example of how the state should respond quickly and effectively to a particular labour market shortage in a unique sector of industry."
The Director General of FÁS, Paul O'Toole, said: "This is an innovative new programme which demonstrates how state training provision can work with industry to provide a flexible response to a specific training need.
"The programme will provide new entrants with the skills to work in the beef deboning and trimming area within the meat processing sector."
While focused on the area of beef de-boning and trimming the programme will also give the participants the foundation skills required to enter the industry in different sectors and in varying occupations, this will include:
- Slaughtering
- Pig Boning & Trimming
- Sheep Boning & Trimming
- Retail Butchery
- Catering
- Wholesale Butchery
The programme will be certified by FETAC and will target those who were previously employed in sectors most affected by restructuring, and where recovery to previous levels is not a realistic prospect in the short to medium term, such as construction, and traditional manufacturing as well as those who have been on the live register for a long time.
The course is full time and is 20 weeks long and will be based in Ballinasloe. There will be 50 places available on the programme.