The goal of the Washington State Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program is to share industry knowledge, skills and techniques to develop apprentices into highly skilled journeyperson meatcutters. The Meatcutters Apprenticeship is a two-year course. Classes are scheduled four hours weekly 5:30pm to 9:30pm at South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus and Sno-lsle Tech Skills Center in Everett.

The Washington State Meat Cutter Apprenticeship Program is a partnership between UFCW local 3000, the State of Washington, and the employers. 

At the time of graduation, meatcutter apprentices will receive a Certificate of Completion from the State of Washington, college credits from South Seattle College for completion of the course, and an engraved knife with the year of graduation.

Meat Cutter Wages and Benefits

Meatcutter Pre-Apprenticeship Information Session Sign-up

If you are interested in working in the Meat Industry and don’t currently hold a Meatcutter Apprentice position, please visit the WeTrain Washington website for form information on the Meatcutter Pre-Apprenticeship program and other workforce training opportunities!

How to Enroll in the Meatcutter Apprenticeship Program

Newly hired apprentices should contact the Meatcutter Apprenticeship Committee at (206)657-7872 or contact Megan Williams via email at mwilliams@wetrainwa.org to confirm attendance at the next Apprenticeship Committee Meeting.

Committee meetings and Apprenticeship enrollment are held on the third Wednesday of every month:

• 5:30PM at South Seattle Community College Georgetown Campus
  6737 Corson Avenue South Seattle WA 98108
  Meat Cutting Lab Room

For Snohomish County, Apprenticeship enrollment is held on the first Tuesday of every month:

• 5:30PM at Sno-Isle TECH Center
  9001 Airport Rd. Everett WA 98204
  Culinary Class area

At these meetings the apprentice will be completing enrollment forms to enter the program, photo ID will be needed. The committee will review the outline of the program and the State Standards.  Any questions the apprentice has concerning the program or school can be answered at this time.

The first step to be able to enroll into the Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program is to be hired as an Apprentice Meatcutter. We have listed below as a resource for you the Job Posting and Job Application links of many of the Employers in the Seattle / Puget Sound area.

Looking at the job lists you would use the word Meat as a key word and area you are looking to be hired in. There may not be an Apprenticeship position available with some of the Employers. However an alternative strategy that has worked for many is to consider a Seafood / Service Counter or Meat Wrapper position to get your foot in the door, in many cases this has leads to a Meatcutters Apprenticeship down the road. 

Seattle Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program Est. May 17, 1946

The Meat Apprenticeship Program of King County is a nationally recognized program that teaches a diverse student population to become experts in the meat cutting trade.

Our students proudly graduate from the program with an official WA state certification which is honored in all 50 states. The Meat Apprenticeship Program is a two year course held at the Georgetown training center in Seattle. Four hour classes are scheduled weekly with summer quarter off.

Our innovative and comprehensive program focuses on teaching students to exceed levels of industry competency through a rigorous and challenging curriculum. Students learn how to work more efficiently both independently and in teams. They explore their employers’ policies, procedures and expectations while learning how to maximize productivity, profitability, craftsmanship, and customer service. Meat apprentice students learn how to be more effective employees and to exceed customer expectations.

Employers know how difficult it is to find talented employees who are willing and capable of taking care of valuable customers while maintaining profitable and efficient departments. Our program was developed by veterans of the meat cutting industry who are well-educated in Business and Department Management. The curriculum was designed in collaboration with the Seattle Meat Apprentice JACT Board, King County Health, UFCW 3000, and South Seattle College.

The program is designed to help students currently employed as apprentice meat cutters gain a broad overview of the meat cutting industry—past, present and future. Tuition & Parking approximately $500.00 a year. Topics include:

• Cooking beef, pork, and lamb.

• USDA grading and inspection processes.

• History of American meat cutting industry.

• Breaking primal units from carcasses.

• Cutting veal, beef, pork and lamb.

• Poultry, beef, pork and lamb slaughter, raising, and merchandising.

• Knife care, purchasing, sharpening and usage.

• Basic computer and research skills.

• Food safety and proper handling.

• Seafood merchandising.

• Sanitation and clean-up.

Classes take place at: South Seattle College, Georgetown Apprenticeship & Education Center, 6770 E. Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108 and Sno-Isle TECH Center, 9001 Airport Rd., Everett, WA 98204.

If you have questions fill out the contact form below or contact Meatcutters Apprenticeship Committee at 206-436-6610

Job Search Links

The first step to be able to enroll into the Meatcutters Apprenticeship Program is to be hired as an Apprentice Meatcutter. We have listed below as a resource for you the Job Posting and Job Application links of many of the Employers in the Seattle / Puget Sound area.

Looking at the job lists you would use the word Meat as a keyword and area you are looking to be hired in. There may not be an Apprenticeship position available with some of the Employers. However an alternative strategy that has worked for many is to consider a Seafood / Service Counter or Meat Wrapper position to get your foot in the door, in many cases this has led to a Meatcutters Apprenticeship down the road. 

The Public Health — Seattle & King County Food Code requires individuals who are engaged in cutting fresh beef, veal, lamb and/or pork within a meat establishment to obtain a personal occupational "Meat Cutter" license. King County Meat Cutters licensing, testing and study information>>

Obtaining your official Washington state food worker card. The Do it Right, Serve it Safe! online training is the only authorized site to provide you with a valid food worker card in an online format in Washington state. Find more information here>>