SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Beef Trimmer
  • Breast Trimmer
  • Chicken Cutter
  • Deboner
  • Fish Processor
  • Meat Cutter
  • Meat Trimmer
  • Seafood Processor
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What do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers do?

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers are skilled workers responsible for preparing various types of meat, poultry, and fish for sale and consumption. They typically work in slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, and fish processing facilities. Their primary tasks include cutting and trimming carcasses into specific cuts, such as steaks, roasts, or fillets, while ensuring that all safety and hygiene standards are met. These professionals utilize a variety of tools, including knives, saws, and meat slicers, to achieve precise cuts and to remove bones, fat, and connective tissue from the product. In addition to cutting and trimming, they may also be involved in packaging and labeling meat and fish products for retail distribution. Their work is critical in maintaining the quality and safety of food products, and they often have a deep understanding of the different types of meat and fish, as well as the best practices for handling and processing. This career requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and adherence to strict safety regulations and standards within the food industry.

What the work actually is

  • Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
  • Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
  • Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
  • Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
  • Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Food Production Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Doctoral degree

A normal week

  • Getting Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Point of sale POS software Sales software
  • Internet browser software Web browser software
  • Inventory management software Meat inventory software

Tools

  • Commercial use cutlery Boning knives 路 Butcher knives 路 Meat cleavers
  • Cutting machinery Derinding machines 路 Meat saws 路 Meat-cutting bandsaws
  • Forming machine Hamburger patty makers 路 Pressing machines
  • Staple guns Pneumatic staple guns
  • Filling machinery Needle machines

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers earn in South Africa?

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers do?

Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming, Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents and Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.