Professional Meat Cutting & Merchandising

Certificate

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For careers that are a cut above…

You want to be a professional meat cutter.

You’ll work with beef, bison, pork, lamb, seafood, and poultry and learn how to produce cured, smoked, and processed meat and sausage. You’ll also learn about merchandising and purchasing meat products.

Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising is 15 weeks in the classroom, immediately followed by a 3-week (90 hours) industry placement. This program has an emphasis on sanitation, safety, and quality control. You will have the opportunity to train in the NAIT Retail Meat Store, and you will benefit from the work experience placement for on-the-job training.

Graduates of the Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising program find employment in the meat industry or meat processing plants, retail businesses such as supermarkets, speciality sausage shops, delicatessens, and independent meat markets. The principles of professionalism are key, along with respect, responsibility, and accountability in this field.

At NAIT, Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising classes begin early in the morning, which is reflective of typical work hours in industry. The NAIT Meat Lab environment can often be loud, and requires standing for long periods of time, while using saws, meat grinders and slicers, knives, and many other types of kitchen equipment. Individuals should also be comfortable interacting with the public regarding the customer service aspect of both the program and the industry. Activities in the program and the field involve proficiency in the following: use of basic math skills such as measurement calculation, clear and concise written and verbal communication, and an ability to adhere to public health and safety standards. Meat cutting and merchandising environments may involve lifting and moving objects up to 25 kg (55 lbs.). These skills are essential to be successful in the Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising program and to fulfill all the requirements of working in the meat cutting profession. (Please contact NAIT should you wish to discuss possible accommodations).

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Sep. 03, 2024 (Fall) Hybrid Weekdays - Daytime Main 18 Weeks (Full-time) Open N/A
  Jan. 08, 2025 (Winter) Hybrid Weekdays - Daytime Main 18 Weeks (Full-time) Open N/A
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, before 5 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, after 5 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

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Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training 

The meat industry in Canada presents numerous challenging employment opportunities. The varied nature of this industry demands that personnel have a basic understanding of most meat-cutting concepts, including merchandising, cutting yields, purchasing, sausage-making and value-added meats.

The curriculum is designed so that you will develop a thorough appreciation for shop sanitation and personal hygiene standards. You will learn the practical aspects of proper care and safety procedures of tools and equipment. Instruction emphasizes a high standard of occupational competency and workmanship. The program's content includes concepts of total quality management that specifically includes quality awareness, customer focus, employee involvement and team work.

Emphasis is placed on practical cutting methods, selection of meats, preparation of specialty meats, storing and handling meats and general operation and maintenance of shop equipment.

Meatcutting students

Graduates of the Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising program will learn to:

  • understand the fundamentals of meat theory including meat structure, nutrition, grading and inspection
  • order, judge and select meats
  • use safe and sanitary practices relating to meat storage and handling
  • prepare fresh meat, fish, poultry and value-added items
  • care for and safely operate hand tools and power meat-cutting equipment
  • provide quality customer service during the Retail Meat Store training component
  • engage in business fundamentals, including purchasing, receiving, marketing strategies, inventory control and product merchandising
  • apply business math techniques in profit principles, retail pricing and spreadsheet analysis
Meatcutting student

Enter the workforce with confidence

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Career Outcomes

Build your resume before you even graduate

Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.

View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of B- in the course(s) or program

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Scholarships & Awards

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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