SIAST Meeting Demand for Meat Processing Tradespeople

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) is offering training courses for a variety of trades needed by the province's expanding meat processing sector.

The closure of the U.S. border to Canadian cattle during the recent BSE crisis was a stark demonstration of Canada's need to enhance its domestic slaughter capacity. With the most stringent border restrictions now lifted, the livestock sector is once again on the rebound, but the need to slaughter and process more of our own livestock remains.

The continued growth in domestic livestock processing is creating a big demand for tradespeople possessing a variety of skills needed in the industry. Unfortunately, there are not enough qualified people to meet that demand.

This has generated increased opportunity - particularly for meat cutters, slaughterers and processors - in several jurisdictions, particularly Saskatchewan. SIAST responded by creating courses to meet the specific needs of the processing industry.

To learn the meat cutter trade through apprenticeship, for example, individuals enrol in a course that has them working 85 per cent of the time (1,800 hours) with a certified journeyperson, earning while they learn. This is followed by 15 per cent (eight weeks) spent studying the technical aspects of the trade at the SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon. The process is repeated for three years to achieve journeyperson status. SIAST is constantly accepting applications for these courses. The classroom portion begins in August and the practicum begins in January.

"The BSE crisis taught us to put more emphasis on handling our own animals rather than shipping them elsewhere," said Jim Moldenhauer, Chair of the Meat Cutter Trade Board. "Industry expansion opens up great opportunities for Saskatchewan people to build careers in the skilled trades, such as meat cutting, that support this growth."

For more information on the requirements or enrolment process for these courses, contact the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission at 1-877-363-0536 or visit their website at www.saskapprenticeship.com (click on "designated trades").

For more information, contact:

Jim Moldenhauer, Chair
Meat Cutter Trade Board
Phone: 306-955-2537