The FDQ qualifications that sit within this suite cover a range of practical skills and knowledge needed in the meat and poultry industry. Butchery now has its own dedicated apprenticeship programmes, for which FDQ is approved to provide end-point assessment services. The apprenticeships provide more in-depth learning of butchery skills and knowledge for retail butchers, in-store supermarket butchers or process butchers. Included as mandatory within the Level 2 Butcher apprenticeship is the Knife Skills in Food Processing qualification.

Some employers also choose to supplement the butchery apprenticeship learning by enrolling their butchery apprentice on one of FDQ’s Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills qualifications. These qualifications cover a wide subject area, which includes:

• Lairage/slaughter • Meat and poultry processing • Butchery skills • Meat and poultry packaging and distribution • Meat and poultry service/sales • Meat quality assurance

Many of the qualifications within this suite are available at both Level 2 and Level 3 to allow for career progression.