Five minutes with…Codey Emes

For certified Retail Butcher Codey Emes, the people facing part of his trade is something he enjoys the most, “I really enjoy meeting different people within the industry and discovering different styles and ways of butchery,” he says.

Describing himself as trustful, committed and loyal, Codey is consistently working on his skills in preparation for the National Championships, “I’m working every weekend on my displays and breakups for the species of animals that have been chosen for the competition,” he says.

Having finished his study through Axial Training in Toowoomba, Queensland, Codey is currently working at Westridge and The Ridge Select Meats, “I choose to be a butcher because I found it interesting and different. I started as a wash up boy at The Ridge Meats, and I then became a butcher’s hand (serving, making sausages/steakettes and rissoles) then I started to learn how to slice.

Once I finished school, I asked to be put on an apprenticeship and further my skills and knowledge in that trade. I quickly fell in love with the trade and what I could do within the industry,” Codey says.

Codey has ambitions of passing on his skills to the next generation of butchers, “I wish to open my own shop one day in the future and teach young people the ways of a butcher and how product gets from the paddock to the shop and then to the table,” he says.

With the Championships just around the corner, Codey is looking forward to the challenge in June, “I enjoyed my experience doing the regional Worldskills competition. I learnt so much from it and what I can achieve if I work hard and focus on the tasks that were put in front of me.

I feel nervous and excited about representing my region in the Championships and can’t wait for it to begin!”

More than 700 VET qualifications are subsidised under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program – including many in the social and personal services sector. Find out more at VET.nsw.gov.au #VETopensdoors