Award-winning butcher Ben Roberts has demonstrated what can be achieved by developing craft skills via an apprenticeship
After completing his Apprenticeship in Food Management, Ben was promoted from shop manager in Overton-on-Dee, near Wrexham to managing the entire M. E. Evans Traditional Butchers business.
“Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to push yourself in the workplace, the progression that’s possible with apprenticeships is huge.”
He is now progressing to an Apprenticeship in Business Management, with plans to continue his learning journey. Ben, 30, says the apprenticeship has given him the confidence and self-esteem to excel at his craft.
He certainly has excelled at his craft. In the space of a few weeks this year, Ben won Apprentice of the Year awards at the inaugural Wales Food and Drink Awards in Cardiff and at Cambrian Training Company’s annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards.
He is also a member of Craft Butchery Team Wales, a Skills Excellence in Wales Ambassador and finished third at the 2021 WorldSkills UK butchery competition.
“Ben has demonstrated perfectly what can be achieved in career progression through apprenticeships.”
– Arwyn Watkins, OBE, Cambrian Training’s Managing Director.
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
