At only eighteen Serena already knew an office job wasn’t for her. During her A Levels she’d enjoyed working alongside her Gamekeeper father and her part-time job collecting eggs on a Quail farm after school. This interest in the food supply chain and a more hands-on career led to her landing a butchery apprenticeship with Impson Butchers in Swaffham, Norfolk.
Now twenty, Serena recently achieved a Pass with Excellence (the highest grade possible) in the Level 2 Butcher Standard Apprenticeship and is working full-time with Impson.
During her apprenticeship Poultec Training managed the ‘off the job’ element of Serena’s butchery training. The practical workshops which taught new cuts and different butchery methods were, according to Serena, ‘the best thing about my apprenticeship’.
When it comes to end-point assessment Serena believes preparation and self-confidence are key to success, though she admits to being ‘super nervous’ despite her tutor having assured her she was ready.
“As hard as it sounds, my one tip would be to have confidence in yourself and your butchery. You’ve worked so long to get to this stage, and you wouldn’t be doing it if you’re not ready.”
Serena knows teamwork is important to being a successful butcher. This is something she enjoys, describing working with her colleagues as the best part of working as a butcher, along with building a rapport with her customers.
In the future Serena would like to have progressed in her job with Impson and dreams of running a butchery business with her family. Asked what she would say to other young women considering a career in butchery, she says without hesitation,
“I would 100% recommend it!”
