Young butcher Robbie Hughan proved a cut above the rest as he gave his rivals the chop in the Scottish heat of the prestigious Butchery WorldSkills UK competition yesterday (Tuesday).
Robbie, who works for Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop, Stirling, beat his workmate Euan McLagan and Erin Conroy from Falleninch Farm, Stirling to win the third and final heat of this year’s competition at City of Glasgow College.
“I was dead chuffed to win the heat because it was a bit unexpected,” said Robbie, 25, who is soon to become assistant manager in the business. “The judges said the competition was of a very high standard and it’s nice to have the bragging rights over my workmate Euan.
“I have been practicing for the competition for about six weeks and everything went swimmingly. It’s the first time I have entered this competition and hopefully I have done enough to qualify for the final.”
Having worked in the butchery part-time since his school days, Robbie has worked his way up in the business and hopes to one day run his own shop.
“I started working in the shop part-time after school, became an apprentice and have gradually progressed,” he said. “ I enjoy being creative and getting feedback from customers.”
Robbie and all the other butchers from the three regional heats must now wait to hear if they have done enough to qualify for the final at The Skills Show at the NEC Birmingham from November 15-17. The finalists will be announced later this summer.
The six butchers with the highest scores from the heats will be selected to complete five tasks over two days in front of a live audience. The competition focuses on all the essential skills required for a successful career as a multi-skilled butcher within the food manufacturing industry.
Butchers are tested for overall skill, innovation, creativity, presentation, work ethic, method and approach to tasks, carcass and primal utilisation, waste and safe and hygienic working practice.
The butchery competition is organised by award-winning training provider Cambrian Training Company, based in Welshpool and supported by an Industry Steering Group. Sponsors are specialist awarding organisation FDQ, The Institute of Meat, Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales and The National Federation of Meet and Food Traders.
To enter, butchers must not have completed a qualification higher than a level 4 in Food Manufacturing Excellence or equivalent.
In the Scottish heat, he butchers were tasked with seaming a leg of pork in 45 minutes and creating a barbecue display from chicken, pork, beef and lamb in 90 minutes. Katie George, from Cambrian Training Company, said the Scottish heat was closely contested with few points separating the three butchers. She thanked the City of Glasgow College for its excellent hospitality.
Butchery is one of more than 60 skills to feature in this year’s WorldSkills UK Competitions which are proven to help young people go further, faster in their training and careers. The competitions are designed by industry experts and focus on the highest UK and international standards.
They deliver benefits to not only apprentices and students, but also to their employers, training providers and colleges. Taking part in the competitions equips apprentices with the world-class skills needed to help organisations maintain their competitive edge.
More than 95% of past entrants believe that taking part in the competitions improved their technical and employability skills.
