In 1989, Shaun Jenkins enrolled in a Certificate III in Plumbing at TAFE NSW. 30 years later he has returned to TAFE NSW to complete a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) and start his new career journey.

“After 30 years of plumbing, 10 working for an employer and 20 owning my own business, I’d sadly lost my love for the trade.

“At 46 I thought to myself, if I only have one career left in me, I want to have a career that I love. This is when I decided to enrol in the Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) at TAFE NSW Granville.”

Shaun had spent his entire life surrounded by butchers, so when it came to finding a career that he would be passionate about, he didn’t have to look far.

“For as long as I can remember there was a butcher shop in my life. It started with my grandfather, who opened a butcher shop in Woolloomooloo in the 1930s, he owned and managed it for 40 years. My father followed in his footsteps, opening his first butcher shop in Kensington at just 18, and then opening a second butcher shop in Parramatta.”

Shaun explained, “They were both extremely passionate about what they did and the positive impact that their businesses had on the local community. It made me realise that’s what I wanted to do.”

Set to complete his Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butchery) next year and with 13,000 new job openings forecast for butchers over the next five years[1], Shaun can’t wait to open his own butcher shop.

“My plan once I complete my course is to follow in the steps of my father and grandfather and open my own butcher shop. I’m not too sure on the location yet, but I’m hoping that when I find the perfect place my father and grandfather will be proud of me.”

With a wife and a four year old child, it was important to Shaun that he would able to fit his study around his family commitments.

“As a husband and father, I needed to be flexible with my time, which is why I thought TAFE NSW would be a great place to start. The course gives me the opportunity to get a head start, learning the hands-on experiences that I need to be a butcher, all while working around my busy schedule.”

Media contact: Emma Cawley, TAFE NSW Media Officer, emma.cawley1@tafensw.edu.au , mobile 0412 478 415