I J Gibson, Family Butchers, is a family business, established 12 years ago, and serving the local community, residential homes, cafes, restaurants, etc. It also runs a functions operation catering for private events. The staff consists of the proprietor, his wife and the 17-year-old apprentice who first started working part-time while still at school.

Being able to take on an apprentice, Stefan, has enabled the firm to expand and develop new markets and products (such as homemade pies, pasties and meats cooked on the premises). The excellent on-the-job training and assessment being provided by the Telford College gives the employer confidence to entrust an increasing number of responsibilities to Stefan (e.g. locking up and unlocking the premises).

Stefan is also now taking on the job of preparing many of the cooked products, thus broadening his skills to include pastry making and the preparation of cooked meats, etc. The employer, who is also the apprentice’s coach/mentor, considers that Stefan has made it possible to grow the business on all fronts.

Stefan says that the job has confirmed his career choice, made him feel confident that he’s doing a good job and increased his motivation. The fact that his employer relies on him to do a good job has made him develop a sense of responsibility especially with regard to punctuality, etc.

He appreciates the fact that he is not required to attend college, but receives all his training on site. He is already considering his next steps and wants to ensure that future training is relevant to the needs of the business.

Awards gained

Food Manufacturing at NVQ level 2 for Apprentice; Key Skills for Apprentices; Certificate of Coaching and Mentoring at Work aligned to National Occupational Standards.