Meet Matthew Douglas Macintyre
Qualified Butcher
“Get stuck in, have fun — when it clicks, you’ll see what you’re capable of.”
Finding a Career in Butchery
Matthew’s journey into butchery came through years of working within the same business and gaining experience across multiple departments.
“Seeing how it truly is farm to fork allowed me to participate in all fields of the business and diversify myself through work. Helping out in the butchery eventually led to becoming a full-time team member.”
When the opportunity to complete the apprenticeship became available, Matthew knew it was the right next step for his career.
“I wanted to further my knowledge, understanding and skills, leading to more varied opportunities in the future.”

Starting the Apprenticeship Journey
Like many apprentices, Matthew felt both excited and nervous when starting out. However, the support around him quickly helped build his confidence.
“I was excited and nervous at the beginning of the apprenticeship, but once it got going it was smooth sailing. I was made to feel extremely at ease by experienced team members and by our fantastic assessor Sarah, who kept us on the right track.”

Learning Through Practice
One of the biggest challenges Matthew faced was finding enough time to practise while working in a busy department. Despite this, he found that hard work and consistency always paid off.
“Getting the appropriate practice in could be difficult at times, but getting your head down and getting stuck in will always pay off.”
Working alongside experienced colleagues also helped him develop his own approach and style within the trade.
“Plenty of practice and learning different methods from coworkers allowed me to find my own way and what works for me, taking their knowledge and turning it into my own methods.”

Support Throughout the Apprenticeship
Matthew credits much of his success to the support and encouragement he received throughout the programme.
“Sarah was fantastic throughout the entire process — always available to help and very easy to talk to. Her own knowledge of the industry allowed for great insights and experience to be passed along.”

Growing in Confidence
Completing the apprenticeship has already had a positive impact on Matthew’s confidence and career progression.
“It’s still early days in what I hope is a long career, but it has definitely given a boost to my confidence as well as to the other apprentices within our business.”
Now qualified, Matthew feels more confident in both his knowledge and ability, while recognising there is always more to learn through experience.
“I feel there’s a bit more breathing room, confidence and belief in myself. There’s always more to learn, but from this point it feels like a wide-open road full of possibilities.”

Looking Ahead
Matthew plans to continue progressing through higher levels of butchery training and further develop his skills within the industry.
“I intend to continue through further higher levels of butchery learning, building my knowledge to bring the best quality products possible to the public.”

Advice for Future Apprentices
Matthew encourages new apprentices to stay positive, work hard and learn from everyone around them.
“Get stuck in and have fun — it’s nothing to be afraid of. Some things will take longer than others, but when it clicks you’ll feel fantastic and see what you’re capable of.”
“Surround yourself with a variety of co-workers with different styles and find what works for you. Don’t get upset when you make mistakes — keep your chin up and learn from them.”