Turnbull’s has marked National Apprentice Week by celebrating the work of its apprentice butchers – Chris McEwan and George Deverux-Tinely.
The 17th annual National Apprenticeship Week offered a chance to reflect on how these schemes can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career – and help businesses develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.
Chris swapped the grill at McDonald’s for the butcher’s block at Turnbull’s having already had some experience working on the fresh meat counter at a supermarket. The 35-year-old is determined to showcase that apprenticeships are open to all age-groups. He said: “I’ve really enjoyed working with the team and being taught by some of the best in the Nort East is really class. The best part for me is seeing the whole process from start to finish, taking a whole carcass and turning it into the various cuts and producing oven-ready dishes.”
George, 25, stopped pulling pints and started dicing beef at Turnbull’s last year after giving up the hospitality trade in pursuit of a career with more sociable hours. He said: “I was looking for the opportunity to learn a trade within the food industry and was getting tired of working late nights. When I saw that there was an opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship at Turnbull’s, I jumped at the opportunity.”
The pair will become fully qualified butchers and develop skills such as knife work; working on pork, lamb and beef carcasses; sausage and burger production; and the importance health and safety in the workplace as part of the Turnbull’s programme. They will work alongside Turnbull’s experienced team of master butchers, both in Turnbull’s Food Hall and the business’ cutting and processing unit. They will also have the opportunity to compete in national competitions.
Dan Turnbull, the sixth generation of the family to run the Alnwick-based business, said: “We have been impressed with the way George and Chris have developed their skills, and their training providers – Meat Ipswich – have been fantastic.”
For more information on butchery apprenticeships visit www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/butcher
