Around here there is a lot of word of mouth. 9 times out of 10 we would have heard about a meat cutter before they were hired. Either through knowing them personally, hearing of their reputation, or knowing about them through someone else. They generally fall into certain categories: cutters who have burnt a lot of bridges, cutters looking for more money, cutters laid off, cutters looking for better work, or drunks.
We have an apprenticeship program, its a joke. It give only basic instruction. They wouldnt be able to go from company to company. Most guys are fully trained when we get them.
I have worked a few companies that had a apprenticeship, I don't think the ones nowadays are like the ones I've been around. where i'm at now we train our own, got tried of hiring drunks & dopers
We have one, I'm participating in it. The program itself is kind of a joke I could get through the program without ever seeing lamb, or any kind of bone in pork. Thankfully, my dept head wants to teach me everything he can, and will order stuff in just to show me. I try to pick his brain all the time, everyone I've talked to said he's the best our company has in my area.
We recently got a new coordinator, and he came in to see how I was doing. When I told him "I'm doin well but I want to learn more." He told me to learn stuff that's centrally processed now, because there are rumblings about quality issues at the corporate level. He may be blowing smoke, but if lends me the opportunity to learn more than the minimum I'm all about it.
I dont want to just know the minimum necessary to get the paycheck, I want to know the trade. There are a couple places near me that still raise/slaughter their own stuff, I've considered approaching them about at the very least watchin em break down a side.
Keep it up RD. I've never been through a training program of any kind. I've worked under quite a few cutters, and have been able to pick up quite a bit of information and feedback through the years. I have learned a lot through trial and error as well. Just keep doing what you're doing and be a sponge.
Glad to see you have a interest in our trade, never settle for getting by, go for the gold. the slaughter house is a good ideal, the video's here will help a lot to, and this board is where you can get any question answered about meat cutting. we are glad to help out
"certain categories: cutters who have burnt a lot of bridges, cutters looking for more money, cutters laid off, cutters looking for better work, or drunks."
Wait...I fall into several of those categories...'speciarry that rast one...
