APPRENTICE butcher Mitchell Simmonds, 18, will step onto the competition floor at TAFE NSW Granville on Thursday, vying for the title of the Australian Meat Industry Council’s (AMIC) 2025 Apprentice of the Year.
Mitchell is in his third year of a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher), studying at TAFE Hamilton, and is an apprentice at Dowling Street Meats in Dungog.
Mitchell said he’s thrilled to be back on the competition floor after competing in last year’s AMIC competition.
“I’m honestly honoured to be a contestant in the AMIC competition again, and I can’t wait to get into it.”
He is among 14 apprentices from across NSW and Canberra taking part in AMIC’s high-pressure, MasterChef-style showdown.
Representing campuses in Hamilton, Granville and Wollongong West, TAFE NSW’s students will be tested across three key challenges:
– A theory exam to assess industry knowledge
– Practical butchery skills, including breaking down a lamb, processing pork and beef cuts, and utilising a whole chicken.
– A mystery box challenge where they’ll create value-added meat products featuring a surprise ingredient revealed on the day.
A panel of three industry experts will judge the apprentices on skill, technique, and creativity.
The winner will be announced at a gala on 27 September at Crowne Plaza Sydney, celebrating excellence across the meat industry.
One of Mitchell’s AMIC competitors is Hayley Pattison, 40, a fourth-generation farmer and currently studying at Wollongong West.
As co-owner of Pattison Pastoral, Hayley and her husband operate a full paddock-to-plate business, raising Hereford and Angus cattle, managing a stud and a retail butchery business.
Now, she’s putting her skills to the test by competing in the AMIC competition.
“I started studying at TAFE NSW to gain the hands-on skills to better integrate butchery into our farming business and use these skills to work with employees and future apprentices,” Hayley said.
“It’s been an incredible learning experience – my teachers have been very supportive, and it’s great to now be competing thanks to an opportunity my teacher encouraged me to pursue.”
Hayley is one of three female students entering the competition and one of 11 female apprentices currently studying a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher), across all three years of the course.
TAFE NSW Relieving Head Teacher of Meat and Allied Trades, Martin Paynter, said the industry is shifting away from its traditionally male-dominated workforce.
“We’ve seen an increase in female students studying a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) at TAFE NSW Granville.
“The industry is evolving from a male-dominated trade into a more diverse workforce, with roles emerging for butchers, counter hands, chefs, and marketing staff.
“Opportunities span full-time and part-time positions, attracting mums and female students and school leavers.”
Mitchell speaks highly of the learning experience provided by TAFE.
“TAFE gives me everything I need — the learning is straightforward, and help is always available if I need it.
“I encourage anyone who’s thinking about it to study at TAFE,” Mitchell said.
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