Meaty awards for the prime cut of Scottish butchers

Alloa apprentice James Black considered it a Red Letter Day when he became a fully qualified butcher recently.
But his delight was doubled when he learned he had also lifted a national award marking him out as one of Scotland`s most promising young talents.

James (22) joined J & W Aitken butchers in Alloa five years ago and his hard work and determination during his studies have helped single him out for the coveted Scottish Craft Butchers SVQ Level 3 Modern Apprentice Of The Year Award 2022.
Beating apprentice butchers from all over Scotland brought James close to tears as he collected his trophy at a recent awards lunch.
"It was a surreal moment when they announced my name," he said. "To be a shortlisted finalist alongside a raft of impressive nominees from all over Scotland was an honour in itself - to win the award is the biggest achievement of my life. I`m absolutely thrilled - it`s just incredible."
James, married with two young sons, was nominated for the awards, sponsored by the Scotch Butchers Club and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, by Craft Skills Scotland assessor Willie Kemp.
"A good listener, James has worked his way through the Level 3 course efficiently and effectively, always presenting first class work and always with a `can do` attitude," said Mr Kemp.
"Good old hard work and determination have seen James develop into a very capable butcher who always had a willingness to learn the trade, taking a pride in whatever he was asked to produce.
"With excellent knowledge of his job, James is more than happy to pass his skills onto the younger apprentices who look up to him."
"I`ve been in love with the butchers trade since I was a boy and I used to visit my Dad`s friend`s shop and and watch him work," said James.
"When I completed my college course in electrical installation in 2017 a job came up at Aitkens and I jumped at it - that was really what I wanted to do with my life and I wasn`t going to miss the chance to become a butcher."

Among others lifting top accolades at the recent Scottish Craft Butchers Training Awards 2022 at Dunfermline included a young apprentice who heard of his success while lying in a hospital bed.
When Ryan Gow from Dingwall heard that he had lifted a national title, he was lying in a hospital bed with a serious throat complaint, unable to speak and share his delight.
Now, fully recovered, the 27-year-old who works with John Munro Ltd. can`t wait to let everyone know about the national award that marks him out as one of the country`s most promising young talents.
Ryan was delighted to be nominated as a finalist in the Scottish Craft Butchers SVQ Level 2 Modern Apprentice of the Year Award. Instead of attending the recent awards dinner to learn of his success, however, Ryan was rushed to Raigmore Hospital and attached to an IV antibiotic drip to fight the infection in his throat.
"The first I knew of my lifting the national title was a video of the awards ceremony my colleagues sent me that evening," said Ryan. "I was absolutely thrilled but couldn`t even raise a cheer, never mind speak to anyone.
"I had been buzzing after being shortlisted for the award and I`m really sorry to have missed out on the big event but it was all outwith my control on the day," he said.
"To be judged the best in Scotland and hear what your assessor and peers think of your work ethic and your progress is very humbling - and the best medicine when you`re feeling ill!.
"I`m delighted to be recognised in this way for doing a job I really love," added Ryan. "I was very grateful to get into butchery and gain an apprenticeship which would give me a trade I could take round the world and I appreciate all the support, guidance and help I`ve had along the way from everyone at Munros."
The coveted Scottish title is testament to Ryan`s outstanding butchery skills, knowledge and acumen.
His assessor, John Farquhar nominated Ryan, highlighting his rapid progress since joining Munros in 2019.
"Ryan started at the Dingwall shop, making sausages and serving customers, beginning to develop his knife skills in the preparation and portioning of cuts for the display," he said.
Ryan then moved to the nearby cutting plant where he worked in the large volume manufacturing department before progressing to the cutting line.
"When the company installed the mechanical boning line at the start of the year, Ryan was at the forefront of getting to grips with it and has also trained others in its use," said Mr Farquhar.
Now well into Level 3 of his apprenticeship, Ryan`s quick learning sees him working on making improvements in the workplace relating to the mechanical boning equipment to ensure maximum efficiency.
"Ryan has really found his feet with a butcher`s knife in his hand and the meat industry is all the better for it," said Mr Farquhar.

Also taking home a national trophy was a Broxburn butcher who has spent years helping to train the next generation for the industry..
Wilson Hendry (54), lifted the Training Mentor of the Year Award.
Nominated by one of his colleagues at meat wholesalers A. K. Stoddart, Wilson expressed shock and delight at securing the coveted accolade for his mentoring work with apprentice butchers - a role he described as "hugely rewarding".
"Stoddarts supply beef all over the UK and abroad," he said. "It`s important that the quality of product is maintained and the customers kept satisfied and to ensure that we need our aspiring butchers to be properly trained and delivering the best service possible.
"It`s so rewarding to pass on the skills of the trade to those tasked with taking the meat industry forward and I like to think that I educate them as well as train them for the task ahead.
"We have around 10-15 trainees coming through Stoddarts each year and it`s vital that we make the time to nurture them and work with them to take them to the next level."
It`s this kind of personal support that saw Wilson nominated for the award by one of his trainees.
Joseph Forrester, an SVQ Level 2 apprentice, explained he would be "forever grateful" for the support and encouragement given to him by Wilson.
"Wilson taught me to believe in myself and turned negatives into learning experiences and opportunities to improve," he said. "He never criticised mistakes but instead used them as a method of explaining.
"Wilson does his best not only for the company but for those he mentors - he sees the good in everyone and encourages you to do your best even when you have self doubt.
"I could not have a better teacher and I can think of no one more deserving of this award in recognition of his hard work, commitment and support."
Uphall-born Wilson knew as a youngster that he wanted to be a butcher and when the opportunity came up to secure a 12-week YTS placement at nearby John Lawson`s Butchers when he left school, he jumped at the chance.
"At the end of the placement I was offered an apprenticeship and I loved every aspect of the job," he said.
Twenty-nine years later, Wilson is Training and Quality Manager with A. K. Stoddart in Broxburn, leading a team of traders all keen to support, mentor and educate current and new employees within the 60+-strong workforce.
"I`ve learned a lot in that time and I love passing that wealth of experience on to others as I support them through training," he said. "It`s very touching that they are now supporting me through this award - an acknowledgment that we`re getting it right for which I`m extremely grateful."

Gordon King, Executive Manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said mentors of Wilson`s calibre were "vital" to the industry.
"Wilson is playing a key role in securing the next generation of butchers," he said.
"The experience and knowledge passed on by skilled professionals like Wilson ensures that the future of the meat industry and the quality of our butchers is in safe hands."
And Gordon praised the “outstanding commitment and talent” of the award-winning apprentices - just two of more than 300 apprentices currently training within the industry.
"These annual Training Awards turn the spotlight on the amazing work going on within the industry to encourage and support our next generation of qualified butchers," he said. "We received nominations from every corner of Scotland of an exceptionally high level and winners exemplify the very best talent out there.
"It`s heartening to see and hear of the talent and commitment of our extraordinary trainees like James and Ryan and to know that the future of our industry is in safe hands."

Other awards presented at the recent ceremony included:
Training Partner of the Year - Sean Lewis and Ryan King, Mitchell`s of Erskine, Paisley:
and
Extra Mile Award - Mark Boyd, Bryan Beveridge Quality Butchers, Dunfermline.




Ends

For further information please contact Press Officer Maureen Young on 07778-779-888
or
Gordon King, Executive Manager Scottish Craft Butchers on 07917524313