About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Certificate
  • Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Code: 0419 P0419
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
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Overview

Do you want to extend your Chef expertise or explore a trending artisanal craft for the first time?

Butchers apply both art and science to ensure the meat supply is fresh, sustainable and inventive. The Professional Butchery Techniques program is a deeply hands-on learning experience where students gain the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving meat industry. Through extensive lab based instruction, students learn traditional and contemporary butchery techniques, meat science, and food safety. Students will practice their new skills as an integral part of the meat supply chain supporting the academic Culinary programming, restaurant, catering and retail operations of Niagara College’s culinary learning enterprises. Graduates will gain proficiency in whole animal breakdown, retail and wholesale meat processing, value-added product development, and regulatory compliance, ensuring they meet the demands of a dynamic industry.

Highlights
  • Hands-on training with whole-animal breakdown and meat fabrication using state-of-the-art industrial equipment and facilities.

  • Contribute to the farm-to-table movement using sustainable and ethical practices for meat production.

  • Learn barbecue and charcuterie techniques while producing value-added goods such as spice rubs, marinades, and stuffed meats using applied meat science concepts.

  • Develop skills in an authentic retail context producing goods to order for supply chains and consumers.

  • Build knowledge of safety requirements for meat processing and packaging to ensure worker and public safety.

Career Opportunities
  • Culinary Butcher – Restaurants or Culinary Operations
  • Culinary specialist – meat product development
  • Independent retail butcher
  • Industrial, Wholesale butcher
  • Meat cutter
  • Retail Butcher – Shop or Grocery Setting
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Courses

Term one (2026 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
BTCY1001 Farm to Table - Ethical and Sustainable Meat Production 3
BTCY1002 Safety and Security in Meat Production 3
BTCY1003 Butchery Techniques I - Fundamentals 4
BTCY1004 Value-Added Production - Sausage and Stuffed Meats 4
BTCY1005 Retail Operations I 3
CULN1152 Culinary Essentials for Butchers 5
MATH1080 Mathematics 3
Term two (2027 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
BTCY1021 Meat Science and Product Development 3
BTCY1022 Butchery Techniques II - Advanced 4
BTCY1023 Meat Processing Technology and Automation 3
BTCY1024 Industrial Smokehouse and Barbecue Techniques 4
BTCY1025 Retail Operations II - Sustainable Retailing and Business Development 5
ENGL1098 Language and Communications 3
Learning Outcomes Term: 1264
  1. Process beef, pork, lamb, veal, and poultry into wholesale and retail cuts to meet customer specifications and industry standards.

  2. Practice procedures used to control food-borne illness in compliance with recognized industry standards, food safety laws, government regulations, controls and testing procedures.

  3. Respond to inquiries about basic cooking, food safety, and carving techniques to ensure clients can prepare food safely and effectively.

  4. Determine markups, markdowns, profit and loss related to the retail meat cutting industry to optimize pricing strategies and maximize profitability.

  5. Select the appropriate packaging material for different products to ensure safety and salability.

  6. Select parts of the animal carcass for retail cuts of meat to ensure high-quality products for consumers.

  7. Set up, operate, break down, and maintain industry-specific tools according to health and safety regulations to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.

  8. Develop value-added products, such as fresh sausages, spice rubs, marinades, and stuffed and/or breaded meat products, to increase variety and retail sales.

  9. Identify and label meat products to comply with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and other provincial regulations.

  10. Receive, transfer, and store meat products in a safe and orderly manner to meet industry standards for quality and safety.

  11. Determine sustainability factors to optimize meat-cutting operations in meeting market demand and supply chain fluctuations.

  12. Implement safety protocols in meat handling and production within the limitations and restrictions of provincial and federal regulatory requirements.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – Grade 12 (C), (U), or (E)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Tuition

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