Butchery star Peter reaps the rewards of apprenticeships
Peter Rushforth using his skills in a butchery competition.
Peter Rushforth’s career decision to opt for an apprenticeship instead of continuing his academic studies in university is paying rich dividends for the 21-year-old butchery star.
The multi-award winning butcher from Leeswood, North Wales has recently returned from the United States after securing a scholarship from Meat Promotion Wales/Hybu Cig Cymru to study the development and utilisation of beef forequarter and related products.
Just a day after returning to the UK, he was adding another award to his bulging trophy cabinet, after being named Higher Apprentice of the Year by his training provider, Cambrian Training Company.
The award capped a memorable 12 months for Peter who won a WorldSkills gold medal, the Meat Trades Journal Young Butcher of the Year title, represented the UK in a European Young Butchers Competition and was runner up in the Premier Young Butchers contest during 2016.
His road to success is down to hard work, dedication and support from his employers, Clive and Gail Swan at Swans Farm Shop, Treuddyn, Mold and learning provider Cambrian Training Company.
The journey began when he was 15 and started work at the farm shop on a Saturday to earn pocket money. Leaving school at 18 with three ‘A’ levels, he had the chance to go to university to study psychology but instead chose to earn while he learned as an apprentice butcher.
It was as much of a learning journey for the Swans as for Peter, as he was their first apprentice. He progressed from a Foundation Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills to a Higher Apprenticeship in Food Manufacturing Excellence, winning competitions along the way, including the Young Welsh Butcher.
He is now close to completing the Higher Apprenticeship, which is the academic equivalent of a degree and next plans to put into practice which he has learned during scholarship visit to the US.
He is particularly keen to develop new cuts from the beef forequarter, which traditionally is used for pies in the UK. In the US, the forequarter produces five tender cuts, including flat iron steak.
“These beef cuts are as tender as sirloin and rump steaks because of the way the meat is cut,” explained Peter. “Because the forequarter is lower in value, it brings steak within the reach of a group of consumers that cannot normally afford prime steak and utilises more of the carcass.
“I was also interested in beef jerky and charcuterie which are very popular in America. The question I wanted to answer was: if they like it so much, why can’t we do it here? I believe there is a market for farm fresh style jerky and we shall be developing new products in the shop in the coming months.”
Reflecting on his apprenticeship learning route, he said: “Neither I nor my employer had any idea how far the apprenticeship would go. It was a case of suck it and see and take every opportunity along the way.
“I had a great passion for the meat industry and felt a connection with it. I liked the idea of taking a raw, base product and then seeing the outcome a few hours later after using my butchery skills.
“The apprenticeships have given me the platform to build my career. They have given me an understanding of the business, the skills and knowledge to develop new products, pushed me to better myself and given me recognised qualifications, which are important.
“Clive and Gail have been the driving force behind my success. They have encouraged me and given me the opportunities and resources to get out and do it.
“It’s interesting to note that all my schoolmates have finished university and not one of them has a job that they studied for. A lot of them now agree that I made the right decision to choose an apprenticeship.
“In so many jobs nowadays, employers require work experience, which people leaving university don’t have. By the time you finish your apprenticeship, you have three or four years’ experience.”
Gail Swan is delighted with Peter’s success. “We couldn’t have a better employee,” she said. “He was our first apprentice and it has been a massive learning curve. Everything about the apprenticeship has been positive and we have all benefited from the training delivered by Cambrian Training Company.”
The Welsh Government has pledged to deliver a minimum of 100,000 quality apprenticeships to people of all ages during its term of office. The apprenticeships specifically focus on the needs of industry, particularly science, technology, engineering and mathematics, sectors where there are skills shortages.
Investment is also being increased to drive growth in key sectors including creative industries, information and communication technology, construction, logistics and financial and environmental services. Welsh language and bilingual apprenticeships are also supported.
- Apprentices earn while they learn, gaining invaluable, hands-on experience in the workplace
- Apprenticeships generate around £1.1 billion to the Welsh economy
- Every £1 of public money invested in apprentices produces a return of £74 compared to £57 for an average degree
- Apprenticeship success rates in Wales are consistently above 80 per cent compared to 67 per cent in England
- The average apprenticeship framework costs between £4,000 and £16,000 compared to a minimum of £27,000 for an undergraduate degree
From April 8 this year, UK employers with a pay bill exceeding £3 million now pay an Apprenticeship Levy, which is encouraging more companies to recruit apprentices.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
To find out how your business can benefit from taking on an apprentice or upskilling your current workforce, register your interest here
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