Picture caption: Stefan Rice in action last year’s Butchery WorldSkills UK competition final.
With just one week to go to enter the 2020 Butchery WorldSkills UK Competition, last year’s gold medallist has been explaining why talented butchers should throw their hats in the ring.
Stefan Rice, 36, triumphed in last year’s competition final, held at WorldSkills UK LIVE, held at the NEC Birmingham, beating fellow butchers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
“Entering this competition is the best way to sharpen your skillset because it encourages you to try new things,” said Stefan, who works for A. Hindle and Son, Stafford. “I didn’t think I had a chance of winning, so it shows it’s definitely worthwhile entering.
“It’s also great for your CV and to build up your knowledge. Winning has helped to highlight my skills to customers and to generally showcase what I can do.”
The entry deadline for this year’s contest has been extended to May 5 because of the Coronavirus crisis. Regional heats are not expected to be held until September because of the pandemic restrictions.
“Our number one priority is the safety of all,” said Katy Godsell, marketing manager for pan Wales training provider Cambrian Training who co-ordinate the butchery competition for WorldSkills UK.
“We appreciate that butchers across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are very busy supporting the heroic work to keep us all fed throughout this crisis. Hopefully, they can spare the time to complete their free competition registrations before the May 5 deadline.”
Butchers can register online at www.worldskillsuk.org and more information about the competition can be found at www.worldskillsuk.org/champions/national-skills-competitions/find-a-competition/health-hospitality-and-lifestyle/butchery
WorldSkills UK Competitions are designed by industry experts and are free to enter. Participation in the competitions has been proven to enhance an individual’s career prospects with 90% of entrants saying that they had seen improvements in their career prospects after taking part.
The Butchery WorldSkills UK competition focuses on 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.
To enter, butchers need no qualifications, but must not have completed a qualification higher than a Level 4 in Food Manufacturing Excellence or equivalent. They must possess core competencies and the ability to work under pressure in front of an audience.
Each butcher that makes it through the regional heats will represent their employer, training provider or college in the National Finals held at WorldSkills UK LIVE at the NEC, Birmingham from November 19-21.
Organised by Cambrian Training, the butchery competition is supported by an Industry Steering Group and sponsored by The Institute of Meat, The National Craft Butchers, The Worshipful Company of Butchers, Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales and supported by FDQ.
For more information or questions about the competition please contact Katy Godsell, Cambrian Training’s Marketing Manager, on Tel: 07813140128 or email: katy@cambriantraining.com.
