Meat cutting is a worthwhile occupation in Alberta since many people usually head to professional meat cutters when they need meat. However, to become seasoned professional meat cutter requires the skills to cut, wrap, weigh, display meat products, and observe safety and sanitation measures. Preparation for physical labor is also essential, as you’ll be required to lift heavy meat products.
A meat cutting course Alberta, combines academic learning, hands-on training, and apprenticeship to equip aspiring meat cutters with the skills necessary for their careers.
What does the meat cutting course cover?
- Meat cutting students learn all the fundamentals (instructions and hands-on demos) of whole-animal butchery, including:
- Breaking down pork, beef, chicken, and lamb into primal, subprimal, and case-ready cuts
- Processing portions or whole carcasses of meat into packaged and retail-ready food products
- Value added processing such as making smoked hams, sausage, and bacon, which involves mixing raw meat products with spices.
- The emphasis on food safety and sanitation procedures, sourcing, and maintain high utilization of whole animals
- How to safely use and maintain hand tools such as knives and power equipment used in the meat cutting industry
Meat cutting apprenticeship programs
After completing the course, on-the-job training is a vital way to kick off your career as a meat cutter. New hires usually work side-by-side with industry specialists to cut, handle, and process raw meats. Participants will gain skills such as meat packaging and cooking, seafood processing, customer service practices, and business math. Also, they learn how to operate in a retail environment.
Can you learn online?
Since meat cutting requires hands-on training, online programs are almost impossible to find. However, you might find a few meat cutting certificate programs that offer online courses through demonstration videos.
Where do meat cutters work?
Meat cutters can decide to work in a meat processing plant, meat wholesaler, or in various retail establishments, including large supermarkets, small meat or fish store, or small specialty grocery. In the workplace, your job description will include inspecting, breaking into various cuts, packaging, cataloging, and merchandising meat products.
Meat cutting is an occupation with entrepreneurial potentials in Alberta. The town is a home to numerous educational institutions where through a meat cutting course, you can learn all the aspects of meat cutter trade and experience a whole new valuable experience. It gives meat specialist a chance to thrive in everything from custom cutting, value-added processing, to specialized retailing, the list is endless.