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Meatcutter

Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, all under the supervision of a journey-level worker. Apprentices get paid a livable wage while on-the-job learning and developing knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new career field. Related classroom instruction is scheduled outside on-the-job training.

In partnership with Spokane Community College, Meatcutters Apprenticeship JACT offer Meatcutters Apprenticeship courses in a rigorous line of study and skill development. The goal of the program is to share industry knowledge, skills, and techniques to develop apprentices into highly skilled journey-level meatcutters. Retail meat cutters are involved in the production of fresh and frozen meat products, such as beef, pork, lamb, fish, poultry and cured and smoked items. Also learn merchandising, customer relations and management.

The goal of the Meatcutter Apprenticeship Program is to share industry knowledge, skills, and techniques to develop apprentices into highly skilled journey-level meatcutters.  Retail meatcutter apprentices learn the production of fresh and frozen meat products, such as beef, pork, lamb, fish, poultry and cured and smoked items.  Apprentices also learn merchandising, customer relations and management. A few skills retail meatcutters learn are identifying different cuts of meat, cooking techniques, applications in breaking / cutting, profit maximization and by-product identification. The Meatcutters Apprenticeship is a two-year program which requires 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 300 hours of classroom instruction. 

Apprentices are also college students and receive a certificate for completing 30 college credits from Spokane Community College when they graduate. 

Apprentices begin with Introduction to Principles of Meatcutting unless they receive advanced standing allowing them to start at a higher level in the program. This is only determined by the Apprenticeship Committee and will be discussed during the application process.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 30


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MEAT 101
Introduction to Principles of Meatcutting  
5
Total Credits
 
5

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MEAT 102
Principles of Meatcutting II  
5
Total Credits
 
5

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MEAT 103
Principles of Meatcutting III  
5
Total Credits
 
5

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MEAT 204
Principles of Meatcutting IV  
5
Total Credits
 
5

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MEAT 205
Principles of Meatcutting V  
5
Total Credits
 
5

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MEAT 206
Principles of Meatcutting VI  
5
Total Credits
 
5

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Apprentices must apply to the JATC Meatcutter Apprenticeship by applying with WeTrain Washington before enrolling in classes at Spokane Community College. Once students are accepted to the apprenticeship, they will be directed to apply to Spokane Community College where they will be formally enrolled in the program.

If you have questions, please reach out to the apprenticeship program director for more information.

Apprenticeship differs from our academic offerings in that apprenticeship is a job. Meatcutters are first apprentices, then work to journey-level. Potential jobs after they reach journey-level are meat manger, meat merchandizer, store director, grocery operations, meat vendor, or state inspector.

Apprentices work and get paid while completing the program. Apprentices receive on-the-job instruction and work experience necessary to become a qualified journey level worker.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Megan Williams

Apprenticeship Director
mwilliams@wetrainwa.org

 

Kenna May

Apprenticeship Manager
Kenna.May@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8098

 

Mindi Bayley

Apprenticeship Program Assistant
Mindi.Bayley@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7178

 

Jeff Williams

Interim Dean of Extended Learning
Jeff.Williams@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8235