To our knowledge, there are only five vocational meat-cutting programs (not including college/university meat science programs) in the U.S. and one online certification: one in Arizona, one in Wisconsin, two in Ohio, and one in New York. The online option is through Range Meat Academy based in Chicago, Illinois. We list an additional program from Alberta, Canada. All accept adult students except for the Buckeye Career Center program, which is for high school students. The Pioneer Career Training Center teaches slaughter as well as processing skills.
If you are a plant owner looking for skilled people to hire, you might consider finding a young person interested in learning and send him or her to one of these programs under a written “indentureship agreement.” The agreement would stipulate that she or he would work for you for a minimum number of years after completing training in exchange for your paying for the education. Such an employee would be required to reimburse you for the costs if they dropped out or failed to work for you for the specified minimum amount of time.
Know of a program we are missing here? Contact us!
Arizona – Phoenix
Apprentice Meat Cutter program
Illinois- Chicago (offered virtually, nationwide)
Range Meat Academy
Meat Clerk and Meat Cutter courses. Must take the Meat Clerk courses before you take the Meat Cutter courses.
https://www.rangemeatacademy.com
Ohio – Shelby
Pioneer Career & Technology Center
Meat & Animal Science Program
27 Ryan Rd.
Shelby, OH 44875
Contact: Bill Kucic
(419) 347-7744 x.1269
Pioneer Career Training Center
Ohio – New Philadelphia
Buckeye Career Center (high school program)
Food Processing/Meat Cutting Program
545 University Dr. NE
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Contact: Scott Ripley
(800) 227-1665
Program webpage
New York- Cobleskill
SUNY Cobleskill Meat Processing and Food Safety Certificate Program is back. 4 week intensive series. Cost is currently: $4,550.
Contact:
Deb Pernat
PACE Program Coordinator
Knapp Hall 223
518-255-5528
pernatdg@cobleskill.edu
Wisconsin- Madison
Sustainable Farm to Table: Modern Meat Production, One Year Technical Diploma
Madison Area Technical College
1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704
608-246-6100
https://madisoncollege.edu/program/meat-production
Alberta, Canada
This 5 month program at Olds College in Alberta, Canada, includes training in slaughter. The program is offered twice a year and costs about $10,000 with room and board. International students are welcome to apply.
Meat Processing Program
Olds College
4500 – 50th Street.
Olds, Alberta, Canada T4H 1R6
