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| Butchers, Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters |
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| Employment Increase: |
33% |
| People In Field: |
169,000 |
| Average Salary: |
$16,926 |
| Qualifications: |
Training |
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Nature of the Work:
Butchers, meat, poultry, and fish cutters reduce
animal carcasses into small pieces of meat suitable for sale to
consumers. In meatpacking plants, butchers slaughter cattle,
hogs, goats, and sheep and cut the carcasses into large
wholesale cuts to facilitate handling, distribution, and
marketing. Butchers usually work on assembly lines, with each
individual responsible for only a few of the many cuts needed to
process a carcass. Depending on the type of cut, they may use
knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, and other equipment. In
grocery stores, wholesale establishments that supply meat to
restaurants, and institutional food service facilities,
meatcutters separate the wholesale cuts of meat into retail cuts or
individual size servings.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Most butchers, meat, poultry, and fish cutters acquire
their skills informally on the job or through apprenticeship
programs. A few learn their basic skills by attending trade
and vocational schools. However, graduates of these schools
may need additional on-the-job training and experience to work
as butchers and meatcutters.
Job Outlook:
Overall employment of butchers, meat, poultry, and
fish cutters is expected to grow more slowly than the average
for all occupations through the year 2005 as more meat
cutting and processing shifts from the retail store to the plant. It
is estimated that there will be 169,000 butchers, meat,
poultry, and fish cutters by 2005. Nevertheless, many job
opportunities should arise due to the need to replace experienced
workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
Sources of Additional Information:
Information about work opportunities can be obtained from local employers
or local offices of the state employment service. For information on
training and other aspects of the trade, contact:
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
1775 K St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
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