Pilgrim’s Europe opens butchery training academy in UK amid skills shortage
Initiative comes as UK meat sector faces declining skilled workforce
UK – Pilgrim’s Europe has introduced a new butchery training academy at its Westerleigh facility near Bristol, aiming to address a shortage of skilled workers in the UK meat processing sector.
The first intake of trainees has already begun at the site, where participants will receive paid instruction, industry-recognised qualifications, and a pathway to long-term employment within the company.
The launch comes as the UK food manufacturing industry continues to face workforce gaps, particularly in specialist roles such as butchery, alongside a reduction in the number of small-scale abattoirs available to farmers.
According to the company, the programme combines structured classroom teaching with practical, on-site experience, allowing trainees to develop technical skills while working alongside experienced production teams.
Training structure and industry context
Ed Hillier, site director at Westerleigh, said the initiative is linked to the company’s broader supply chain strategy, which depends on both access to processing facilities and the availability of trained personnel.
He added that developing local expertise is necessary to maintain operations at the site and support the company’s vertically integrated pork supply model in the UK.
Participants in the programme will also receive instruction in workplace safety, food hygiene, and operational procedures, which are required for roles across modern meat processing environments.
The company stated that trainees who complete the course could qualify as Grade 2 butchers within 12 weeks, earning wages during the training period, although specific pay levels were not disclosed.
Those who remain with the business will have the option to progress further to Grade 1 butchers through additional training and internal development programmes.
Workforce concerns across manufacturing
Kirsty Wilkins, chief people officer at Pilgrim’s Europe, said the initiative is intended to create structured entry routes and defined career progression for new employees entering the sector.
She noted that attracting and retaining new workers through clear development pathways remains a priority for the company as it seeks to maintain operational capacity.
The timing of the academy’s launch aligns with Nestlé’s recent warning of an emerging skills gap in UK manufacturing, linked to challenges in attracting younger workers, particularly from Gen Z.
Industry observers have pointed to changing workforce expectations and declining interest in manual trades as contributing factors to the shortage of skilled labour in food production and processing.
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