Award-winning, family-run independent Butchers, Higginsons of Grange have launched a competition for school leavers in South Cumbria to secure an apprenticeship placement.

The winning applicant will not only secure a minimum 18-month fully funded placement working towards the professional NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship in Butchery, but they will also receive £1,000 in cash and their own top of the range butcher’s toolkit.

Mark Porter, Managing Director of Higginsons (pictured) said, “We have a superb team of highly skilled butchers within our business but in order to remain at the forefront of the industry in the long-term, we need to find a way to pass on these skills and knowledge. By creating an apprenticeship placement, we’re able to offer the opportunity to a keen young person within our local area”.

The average age of a butcher in the UK is well over 50 and climbing, with females currently representing just 14% of apprentices in retail butchery. Many independent butchery businesses are aware of the ageing demographic and recognise the importance of developing new, gender diverse talent within the industry.

Mark commented, “Our apprenticeship programme will offer the right person the chance to learn a sought-after trade which is in demand across the world. Based at our well-equipped butchery unit in Grange-over-Sands, they will also benefit from working alongside our talented team who have over 100 years of combined experience between them.”

Founder of Higginsons, Stuart Higginson said “Mark is a shining example of someone that took an interest in butchery at an early age and has gone on to develop a successful career from it. Butchery might be one of the oldest crafts in the world, but it can set you up for a bright future!”

Mark began working at Higginsons aged just 14, as a Saturday lad. Over the subsequent 28 years, he progressed through the business, initially completing his NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship then working his way up to become General Manager. In 2020, Mark took over the business following in the footsteps of founders, Stuart and Pauline Higginson. He also went on to win the North West Family Business Awards Employee of the Year award in 2020.

The competition is open to school leavers between the ages of 15 and 18, living in South Cumbria. To apply you should email Higginsons for an expression of interest form to be returned by 1st April. Once applications have closed, there will be an Open Event at Higginsons for applicants and their parents or guardians to attend to find out more information. The final selection will take place in June with the placement beginning late mid-summer.