Canada’s Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program targeting labour shortages in meat processing.

Published by Hillfield Immigration on 29th June, 2021

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is designed to help address labour shortages in specific agriculture and food-related industries. Candidates require Canadian eligible work experience and a job offer from a Canadian employer to qualify for the pilot. Let our certified expert help you with this process.

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers, prepare standard cuts of meats, poultry, fish and other seafood for retail or wholesale purchasing by customers. They may be self-employed or work in groceries, supermarkets or meat shops.

Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties – Cut, trim, and otherwise prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale at self-serve counters or according to customers’ orders.

Grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines
Prepare special displays of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish. Shape, lace and tie roasts and other meats, poultry or fish and may wrap prepared meats, poultry, fish and shellfish.

Manage inventory, keep records of sales and determine amount, product line and freshness of products according to company and customer requirements. Ensure food storage conditions are adequate. Butchers may supervise other butchers, or meat cutters or fishmongers. Contact Hillfield Immigration to see if you qualify for any of these jobs.

Employment requirements for butchers may include – completion of secondary school; completion of a college or other meat and fish cutting training program, or a three year meat cutting apprenticeship. On the job training is usually provided in food stores for retail butchers, meat cutter and fishmongers. Trade certification is available, but is voluntary in provinces like Quebec and B.C.

The Meat Cutter trade includes carcass breaking, primal cuts, sub-primal cuts, counter-ready cuts. Packaging and labelling, and the merchandizing of meat including beef and pork products, poultry and sometimes seafood for retail. Inspecting beef, breaking carcasses into various cuts. Inspecting and cutting pork into segments. Inspecting, grading and processing poultry, meat and seafood.

Meat cutters may have additional duties like processing of meats which may involve processing raw meat and poultry into consumer products, for example sausages, by using techniques such as smoking, curing, cooking, flavouring and merchandising. Consult our certified professional to make sure you qualify.
Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 in English or French in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Education at the high school level or greater (Canadian equivalency) is expected. Indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage.

Candidate Requirements – 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience (at least 1,560 hours in the past 3 years) in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in an eligible occupation. The required settlement funds for candidates and dependents, unless already working in Canada. Let our specialist assist with your paperwork.