An award-winning apprentice from Leeswood, who currently holds the title of the UK young butcher of the year, returned to his former school to inspire students to consider an alternative route into their future careers.
Peter Rushforth, 21, is part of a team of ‘Apprenticeship Ambassadors’ selected by the Welsh Government to promote the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship, in the run-up to National Apprenticeship Week (6th -10th March).
The aim is to tour the country encouraging young people in schools across Wales to consider following the apprenticeship pathway and take up one of a huge variety of apprenticeship roles that are available.
After passing A levels in psychology, RE and product design, Peter undertook a Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship in Meat & Poultry Industry Skills and has since progressed to a Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship qualification as a result of his success.
Peter visited Castell Alun High School, along with his training provider Cambrian Training and employer Swans Food Shop, to talk to Year 10 pupils about how pursuing the vocational route helped him secure a job and go on to become an award-winning apprentice butcher.
Peter said: “I was once in the same position as so many of the pupils in the room, I had no particular dreams or ambitions to become what I am today.
“I’d been working at the shop for nearly three years as an assistant before I decided to do an apprenticeship. I was the first apprentice they’d taken on and I don’t think either I or the company knew how much of a success it would be.
“Winning Cambrian Training’s Welsh Young Butcher of the Year was the first proper competition I’d ever won and it really gave me fuel for the fire to advance in the competitions. Since then, I’ve flown to Holland for an international competition and won a gold medal at the Butchery Worldskills UK Competition 2016.
“Apprenticeships are open to everyone who wants to do well in their career. They make you feel part of the team and you have the support you need to learn new skills.
“Learning on the job for at least three years means that you end up with years of experience and a national qualification. If you go into an apprenticeship with an attitude to work hard, you can get to an amazing position in just a few years.”
Peter will shortly set off to the USA to learn more about the meat industry during his month-long trip which will take him through New York City, Portland in Oregon and Lincoln in Nebraska.
Gail Swan of Swans Food Shop said: “Encouraging Peter to pursue an apprenticeship with us was the best thing we could have done. Peter’s hard-work ethic and the skills that he’s gained through the apprenticeship programme have helped him go on to achieve so much success, which has had a huge impact on our business. Thanks to him, we are now recognised on an international level.
“By supporting our employees in their career progression in this way, we have been able to build a loyal and enthusiastic workforce that is always looking for new ways to develop their skills to benefit our business.”
Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James AM, said: “Young people today are very fortunate in that there are many different pathways to help take them to their career of choice, especially via the vocational route. It is vital that students are aware of all of the options available so that they can make informed choices about their future, which is why these apprenticeship visits are so important.
“We would always encourage more businesses to look into offering apprenticeships as it is a great opportunity to bridge skill gaps and build a loyal and enthusiastic workforce. Peter’s experience has shown the pupils at Peter’s former school that following a vocational route, such as an apprenticeship, can lead to a highly rewarding and successful career for both the apprentice and employer.”
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
For more information about becoming an apprentice, please visit contact us; info@cambriantraining.com
