TWO Western Australians have won awards at this year’s National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council Limited (MINTRAC) Meat Industry Training Awards in Queensland.
MINTRAC has run meat industry training awards for nine years, improving the skills of people in the industry through recognised and accredited training.
Two Corrigin Meatworks employees won awards in two separate categories.
Claire McLeary received the Vocational Student of the Year award.
Using her skills as a local masseuse she has applied her knowledge of anatomy to become a meat inspector and quality assurance officer.
The award recognises someone who has completed an accredited Certificate II or III level vocational education and training qualification relevant to the meat industry, in the past 12 months.
Ms McLeary will use the $1000 she won to further her training, including an internal auditing course.
She has a passion for the industry and helping local farmers.
“I chose this industry and pathway because it supports the farming agricultural industry that my husband and I are both so passionate about,” she said.
“I really enjoy meeting with farmers and discussing their requirements.
“An important part of my job is to educate our local community and the more remote border communities about the different services we can provide.
“I also wanted to work for someone that has the same enthusiasm and passion about my work as I do.
“Corrigin Meatworks gives me that opportunity.
“Having to rely on a travelling meat inspector for our facility to run, I was only too keen to help the business run smoothly with me being able to work locally providing more security for the business to grow.”
Cameron Brechin, Brookton, who attended Narrogin Agricultural College and completed his apprenticeship with The Butcher’s Block Corrigin, won the Certificate II-II Student of the Year award.
“I worked very hard to develop my skills and knowledge to the point where I could complete my apprenticeship early and could confidently cut and display meat with minimal supervision,” he said.
“This has increased my productivity in the shop and allowed me to provide more useful support to the rest of the team in the shop.
“I have also greatly increased my knowledge of the different animals we deal with, how to slaughter and process them in the cleanest, most efficient way possible.”
The award recognises someone who has undertaken an accredited vocational education and training qualification, relevant to the meat industry, within the past 12 months.
Mr Brechin is now studying to be a meat inspector.
“I chose to pursue a career in the meat industry because it is something I have always been interested in coming from the country,” he said.
“After completing some work experience for school at the Corrigin Butchers Block, I was offered a job and the chance of an apprenticeship upon the completion of my schooling.”
Corrigin Meatworks chief executives Linton and Kerry Batt said it was exciting to have two people in the business win awards.
“We are just delighted that two of our employees have decided to make a career in the industry that we are so passionate about,” Ms Batt said.
