Meat-Cutting Technician Career Description
Abattoir workers prepare carcasses of animals before they are auctioned to wholesalers. Wholesalers resell the carcasses to meat markets where meat-cutting technicians prepare the meat for sale to clients.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Workers at abattoirs are responsible for the disposal of hides, skins and offal before carcasses are transported to retail distributors. At meat markets, meat-cutting technicians aim to provide meat of the required type and quality, under hygienic conditions and at competitive prices to customers.
Meat-cutting technicians are responsible for the cutting of carcasses into smaller cuts, the trimming of meat cuts as well as the cost-effective use of trimmings and the attractive presentation of meat cuts. Meat cutting technicians can also manufacture meat products such as biltong, boerewors, pickled meat and cold meat products. They have thorough knowledge of the preservation, packaging and freezing of meat. Meat-cutting technicians also advise clients on the best use of different types of meat and meat cuts, as well as suitable preparation and cooking methods.
Meat-cutting technicians must ensure that controlled rotation of all meat and meat products takes place. They are also responsible for hygiene in the meat market.
Meat-cutting technicians are also trained in the effective marketing of meat cuts and staff management.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Meat-cutting technicians work with dangerous equipment and tools. Therefore their eye hand co-ordination should be well developed and they must be cautious and accurate workers. Personal hygiene is of the utmost importance and meat-cutting technicians are not allowed to smoke while working in coolers, processing areas or display areas. Meat cutting technicians should also be able to work with customers .
Where can I work?
Employment possibilities exist at small enterprise butcheries, large firms such as Renown, large supermarkets, canning factories, cold storages and any organisation where food is processed in bulk, such as hospitals and hotels.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Meat-cutting technicians can start their own butcheries.
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