Four Bermudians on their way to becoming butchers

A total of four Bermudians are to be sent to the UK to train as butchers, Government revealed today.

Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said a gap in training facilities meant that butchers’ jobs were filled by overseas workers – and that work permits in the category had increased by 11 per cent between 2008-11.

Sen. Fahy added: “Our objective is to provide access to employment opportunities in a field that would traditionally be filled by guest workers.”

He added: “As I’ve said previously, ensuring social and economic equity for everyone is a critical goal for this government.

“And we see this training initiative as genuine progress by affording Bermudians an opportunity to work in a specified field of employment.”

The four trainees – Vaughan Archibald, Maki Pitt, Tomeeka Talbot and Damiko Trott – will be trained at butchery school Meat Ipswich in England.

Sen. Fahy said the latest batch of trainees followed a decision to send six Bermudians to the New England Institute of Technology to train as car crash repair specialists.

Ms Talbot, 38, of Warwick, a former maintenance worker, said she was currently job-seeking and welcomed the opportunity.

She added: “I thought it was a very interesting career choice for myself and something I think I would enjoy doing.

“I get to travel across the world to make it happen. Why wouldn’t I?”