Butcher inspires youngsters at Skills Scotland Event

An Aberdeenshire butcher joined Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) today (29 October 2013) to increase awareness among young people of the wide range of career options available in the Scottish red meat industry.

QMS, along with four other organisations, is hosting an interactive stand at three Skills Scotland events in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow - the biggest skills and careers events series for 14-19 year olds in Scotland.

At the Aberdeen event today, which has an expected attendance of around 2,500 visitors, butcher Andrew Gordon met with the youngsters and demonstrated the skill and enthusiasm which has earned him a place as one of the North East’s top butchers.

Whilst captivating a crowd of enthusiastic youngsters with burger-making demonstrations, Andrew highlighted the many career options available throughout the red meat supply chain.

“It’s fantastic to have an opportunity to talk to such a large number kids about careers and also get them involved in a fun, hands-on activity like making fresh, lean Scotch Beef steak burgers,” said Mr Gordon.

“Even if some of the kids who visit the stand have other career aspirations, by listening to one of today’s demonstrations they will go home with an increased knowledge about what a butcher does on a day-to-day basis and the importance of locally-sourced meat.”

Throughout the events, visitors will have the opportunity pick up folders packed full of information about careers in the food industry including “Meaty Careers”, a booklet produced by QMS which covers a range of career opportunities from farming and animal health to butchery and processing.

An interactive game aimed at increasing the understanding of the Scottish red meat industry, will also take centre stage at the events.

“With around 50,000 jobs in Scotland linked to the production of beef, lamb and pork, the Scottish red meat industry has a huge amount to offer the younger generation,” said Jim McLaren, Chairman of QMS.

“These events offer a fantastic opportunity to educate youngsters about the quality and traceability which underpin the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands as well as inspiring them to think about a future career in the red meat industry.”