My name is Kelly Mairs, I am a 22-year-old butchery apprentice from Donegal. I have been working in a butchery setting for almost 3 years now. It started off like any other job, 9-5 make products, pack serve and be behind the scenes. As the weeks moved along, my interest started to grow. I wanted to learn more than just the basics that everyone knows. I had bigger questions I needed answered. Between asking 101 questions, to doing my research (homework), I soon started to pick up more and more knowledge.
My boss Joe, seeing my keen interest, suggested going forward to do an apprenticeship in craft butchery. A bit unsure to the idea, I started to of some research and thought that the idea would be a great challenge suited to me.
First day nerves: Excited, nervous and scared being some of the many emotions felt that morning. Unsure of what to expect, I ventured on in. Being greeted by some fellow students and our instructor. We were soon put at ease when it came to introductions and learnt that we are all in the same boat. Between all of us, we knew that we all have different strengths amongst one another.
As the classes have gone on, we have been given materials to study and widen our knowledge on what to expect in the industry. Having been given portfolios to complete with tasks. The first one given was to break a whole chicken into its main primal points. This task was familiar to me, and I found it easy enough to complete and alongside shown off my skills in doing boned and rolled stuffed chickens.
One thing I must say about the apprenticeship is that time has scarily flown by. It feels like only yesterday I was breaking the whole chicken and then bringing me up to completing a forequarter last week. Being faced with these tasks and challenges has done nothing but help me to flourish off in the butchery field. Having built up a better level of confidence, I put myself forward to compete in the world butchery skills in Dublin. On successful completion on my entry, I was selected to go forward in the top six and represent not only Donegal but also my college MSLETB. As scary as the task may seem, I feel it will be a great opportunity for me to show case not only the skills I have been taught and learnt in college but also my tricks I’ve picked up over the years from fellow colleagues.
On wards and upwards from here now. Let the hard work and fun begin!
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