Award-winning independent Butchers, Higginsons of Grange have welcomed a new apprentice to the team after running a competition for school leavers in South Cumbria earlier this year.
16-year-old Sam Jessett, from Field Broughton near Grange-over-Sands was one of a number of youngsters to apply for the apprenticeship. After the selection process was completed in early Summer, Sam was invited to attend two work experience days at Higginsons before being offered the apprenticeship.
Speaking about his career aspirations, Sam said “I’d always had an interest in butchery from growing up on a small holding, but in my final year at school I was also considering other practical, creative career options such as carpentry or even becoming a chef.”
The Cartmel Priory School student came across an article in the local newspaper advertising the Butchery apprenticeship competition and decided it was a good opportunity.
Sam officially accepted an offer of employment at Higginsons as an Apprentice Butcher last month, where he will work full time in the business whilst studying towards his NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship in Butchery. The two-year apprenticeship is run by M.E.A.T Ipswich, a specialist training organisation who deliver high quality training programmes in the fresh food and meat industry. Sam began his apprenticeship on Wednesday 9th November, with trainer Kevin Jaggard.
Describing his experience so far, Sam said, “After doing the work experience, my interest really grew. The premises and all the different butchery areas was so much bigger than I first expected. Everyone in the team at Higginsons has involved me and I’ve particularly loved learning new knife skills. I think the apprenticeship will help me gain a good understanding of butchery and I’m excited to learn more from my colleagues.”
As well as securing his apprenticeship, Sam also received a monetary prize and a top of the range butchers’ toolkit. The toolkit was generously provided by the two sponsors of the competition, Dalziel and Starrett, both supply chain businesses to the butchery industry. Paul Lewis of Dalziel presented Sam with a chain mail glove whilst Starrett provided a knife set.
Paul said, “We want to see our leading independent butchers like Higginsons continue to thrive for years to come. It’s important that everyone in the industry does what they can to help bring new butchers into the trade. When Mark approached us to support their apprenticeship scheme, we were more than happy to help.”
Mark Porter, Managing Director of Higginsons said, “We’d like to congratulate Sam on winning our Butchery apprenticeship. We hope that he enjoys the apprenticeship programme and fingers crossed he’ll go on to lead a fulfilling career within the industry. Sam is a keen student with a real interest in the whole field to fork process, and our experienced team of talented butchers have already taken him under their wing.
“For us the competition was not only about finding a keen young apprentice but also about raising awareness of butchery as an appealing career choice for school leavers.”
Higginsons are considering taking on more young butchery apprentices in the future. For anyone seeking more information on this, contact the business via email at shop@higginsonsofgrange.co.uk
Pictured: Higginsons present their Butchery apprenticeship winner with (L-R) Paul Lewis of Dalziel, winner Sam Jessett, Kevin Jaggard of M.E.A.T Ipswich and Higginsons Managing Director, Mark Porter
