http://www.newswales.co.uk/?section=Business&F=1&id=24516

Young butcher is top of the chops

A young butcher who has launched his own business says his apprenticeship was the key to his success.

Eighteen-year-old Tomos Hopkin from Rhiwfawr near Swansea delivers home-reared meat to local homes and businesses.

He has won the coveted Welsh Young Butcher of the Year competition for the last three years and the Grand Slam British Young Butcher of the Year. He was also recently named Young Apprentice of the Year at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.

Tomos said:“Without my apprenticeship I wouldn’t have had the qualifications and skills to run my own business. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship because you earn while you learn and end up with a trade.”

After completing a Foundation Apprenticeship in Food Manufacture, Meat and Poultry Butchery Retail Skills, Tomos launched Gwyrhyd Mountain Meat.

The young entrepreneur makes door-to-door sales of quality Welsh lamb, beef, pork, chicken and turkey from the family farm at Crachllwyn Farm near Swansea.

“Launching my own business and doing the meat rounds has helped the farm become more profitable. It’s been very rewarding to get good feedback from customers.

“I started off delivering to homes in the area, but I’ve now expanded to local businesses and hotels. I have lots of plans for the future and plan to continue expanding the business and building on my success so far.”

In its Programme for Government, the Welsh Government made a commitment to increase apprenticeship opportunities for young people and continue to support employers who offer high-quality apprenticeship places.There are now in excess of 40,000 apprenticeships in Wales in a range of sectors including health and public services, business administration, construction, engineering, retail and customer service.

Paul Champion
www.paulchampionuk.com
www.apprenticeshipblog.com

📱: 07540 704920

Twitter: @blogapprentice
Skype: paulchampion31