Skills4Butchers

Introduction to Trade Butchery (Level 3) – NZ Certificate

Butchery is more than cutting meat—it’s a hands-on craft built on skill, pride, and community. From preparing quality cuts to helping customers choose the perfect meal, every day brings something different.

At Skills4Work, we train the next generation of butchers through real, practical experience. As an NZQA Category 1 provider and partner of the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) Consortium, we’ve supported hundreds of apprentices across Aotearoa to start strong careers in the trade.

Our 17-week pre-trade programme blends classroom learning with hands-on training in a simulated workplace at our Auckland Training Centre. You’ll build the confidence and technical skills needed to progress toward a New Zealand Certificate in Trade Butchery.

If you enjoy working with your hands, have a passion for food, and want a practical, in-demand career—this is your starting point.

Why Choose Butchery?

Kiwis love their meat—from summer BBQs to hearty roasts—and skilled butchers play a key role in bringing those meals to life. It’s a job with responsibility, variety, and real satisfaction.

What You’ll Learn

• Meat cuts, grading, and freshness
• Knife skills and safe equipment use
• Food safety, hygiene, and regulations
• Meat preparation, mincing, and value-added products
• Customer service and product knowledge

Career Pathways

Once qualified, opportunities include:

• Retail or supermarket butcher
• Wholesale or processing roles
• Supervisory or management positions
• Sales representative roles
• Self-employment or business ownership
• Training roles or international work

Course Details

• Start Date: 22 June 2026
• Duration: 17 weeks
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00am–2:30pm
• Location: Auckland
• Credits: 60

Entry Requirements

• NZ citizen or resident
• 16 years or older
• Able to lift 20–25kg
• Able to travel to the Auckland training centre

Your Future Starts Here

With strong industry connections and award-winning apprentices, Skills4Work sets you up for real employment opportunities. Start building a career that feeds communities and opens doors—both in New Zealand and overseas.