Experienced Butchers

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland
• Wellington: 
Wellington
• Christchurch: 
Christchurch
• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
Dunedin,  Rotorua,  Queenstown,  Palmerston North,  Taupo,  Napier,  South Island,  Whangarei
• Hamilton: 
Hamilton

Length of Position: Permanent
Dates: fulltime, Ongoing

Description: Working Conditions

Butchers work in butcher shops or in the butchery department of a supermarket. Some may do local deliveries, but otherwise there is no travel involved in the job.

Although butchers' workplaces are usually clean and sterile, they can become messy and bloody as a result of working with animal carcasses. The processing room is cool, with the temperature usually around 10 degrees Celsius.

Hours
Butchers usually work regular hours, but they are often required to start early in the morning. Butchers who work in supermarkets often work weekends and at least one late night a week.

Contact with people
Butchers work as part of a team and may have a lot of contact with the public. They may also supervise assistants or trainees and often have contact with meat wholesalers, especially if they are managing a meat department or running a business.

Highlights: Skilled butchers are currently in demand due to a decline in the number of apprentices going into the trade between 2001 and 2006.

The job of butcher is on the short-term skill shortage list. This means that the Government is actively encouraging skilled butchers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

What types of employers can I work for?
Butchers can work for:
- retail butchers
- wholesalers
- food service
- supermarkets
- a case-ready supply chain.

Top five industries where butchers are employed 2007
Industry area & Percentage of workers

Specialised food retailing
30%

Meat and product manufacturing
29%

Supermarket and grocery stores
27%

Food, drink and tobacco wholesaling
5%

Services to agriculture
1%

What's happening in this job?

Competition from supermarkets is forcing smaller meat retailers to be more innovative and resourceful. Many now offer special products such as organic meat, customised cuts and home delivery.

There has also been an increase in technology, especially for butchers working in supermarkets. New qualifications are being developed to encompass these changes in the retail meat industry.

Qualifications:
Skills & knowledge
* Butchers need to have:
- knowledge of different cuts and grades of meat, and how long they will remain fresh
- knowledge of different methods of preparing and cooking different types of meat
- knowledge of how to use knives and other butchery equipment safely
- knowledge of food hygiene legislation and regulations
- skills in handling, preparing and presenting meat products
- customer service and listening skills
- organisational skills.

Personal Qualities
* Butchers need to enjoy working with people. They need to be careful, accurate and safety-conscious. They should be able to follow directions, but they also need to be able to use their initiative and think on their feet.

Entry Requirements
* Most people enter this job as an apprentice and complete a meat retailing apprenticeship.You will have a relevant recognised qualification and ideally at least 4 years experience.

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Salary / Pay: Between $15-22 per hour with an average of 40-45 hours per week.

Experience Required: yes

Experienced butchers only need apply. Ideally you will have 4 years + experience.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-8

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Job and Internship Network

The Commonwealth Services Group's Mission Statement: CSG is a team of New Zealanders with a combined experience of more than 30 years living, working and helping people settle and work in the New Zealand & the UK. We specialise in the recruitment of skilled migrants for shortages in the labour market. CSG provides a full range of Immigration & Employment services.

Year Founded: 1998