Highland butchery business rewarded for commitment to apprentice programme

A Highland butchers and wholesale business has lifted a national industry award for their dedication to training apprentices and helping to safeguard the future of the trade.

John M Munro of Dingwall – which has shops in Inverness, Beauly, Dingwall, Fortrose and Tain – has been named “Training Partner of the Year 2024 in the prestigious annual Scottish Craft Butchers Training Awards.
Delighted Operations Director Rob Sessions said it was an award “for the whole team” involved in the “vital role” of training apprentice butchers.
“John M Munro Ltd was established over 100 years ago and the company has always recognised the value of nurturing and training future generations of butchers,” he said.
“This year alone, we have around a dozen apprentices coming through. We have a tried and tested system which sees them experience all aspects of the industry and we work closely with their assessors to ensure they’re all on track.
“We see investment in our apprentices as one the most important parts of running the business,” explained Rob. “It’s vital that the industry ensures its future through the training of the next generation of butchers and Munro has been responsible for the training of hundreds of butchers now working throughout the world, which is a tremendous legacy.”

The Dingwall business – which operates a meat processing plant, a products manufactory, a bakery and five shops supplying the whole of Scotland – was nominated by Craft Skills Scotland assessor Sarah Frew who described John M Munro as a fantastic training partner.
“With over 100 years in the trade they are still moving the business forward with new apprentices every year and their passion for the industry is still very visible,” she said. “They are keen and involved in every step the candidate takes and strive for the best for their apprentices.
“They are a very busy business but will always go over and above to accommodate the assessments to ensure progression for the candidates. Munros has been a pleasure to work with and they want the best for their apprentices by actively encouraging them to better themselves wherever possible.”

Rob said the company – one of the best-known butchers in the north of Scotland - would use the Training Partner of the Year Award to attract more apprentices into the business.
“This is a tremendous award and reflects well on everyone,” he said. “Our apprentices are a great bunch of people. They support each other through all their training – good times and bad – and will be there to always help their mates.
“We are lucky while we have them and I always want future employers to know when they have secured the services of a former Munro apprentice. We’re very proud of them all.”

Craft Skills Scotland Training Manager Claire Simpson explained that the annual awards, sponsored by the Scotch Butchers Club, Incorporation of Fleshers Glasgow, Fleshers Trade Dundee and Lanarkshire Butchers Association, attract nominations from independent craft butchers throughout Scotland.
“Craft Skills Scotland have over 200 Candidates and nearly 80 employers involved in the Modern Apprenticeship training programme at any one time,” she said. “To be nominated for an award is an amazing achievement – to win one is outstanding.
“The panel had a difficult decision to select the finalists for each award and were very impressed with the high standard of nominations this year.
“John M Munro Ltd is one of this year’s outstanding performers and a training partner worthy of a Scottish Craft Butcher Award.”

Ends

For further information please contact:
Claire Simpson, Training Manager, Craft Skills Scotland on 01738-637785

Finalists_and_Winners_Booklet_2024.pdf