Paul Cadman appointed to Institute for Apprenticeships board

Currently chair of the Trailblazer group that is responsible for the Level 3 Advanced Butchery Standard, Cadman is also HR director of Midlands-based butchery and farm shop chain Walter Smith Fine Foods.

The Level 2 Butchery Trailblazer was the first apprenticeship in a food craft to gain approval and has been hailed as exemplar by government.

In 2013, Walter Smith was chosen as winner of Medium Employer of the Year in the National Apprenticeship Awards, in recognition of its commitment to training young people through apprenticeships.

Training​

Cadman also led the government-backed Walter Smith Employer Leadership Project (WS-ELP), a three-year training project, established to provide bespoke training support to over 350 SME food businesses, with the FTC providing quality assurance and consultation services for the project.

In addition, he is CEO of Crosby Management Training, an independent training provider

Cadman said: "The Butchery Trailblazers are fine examples of what can be achieved when employers and training specialists unite together, motivated by nothing more than achieving the very best apprenticeship training for their industry. For small businesses especially, apprentices are the lifeblood of their future - I look forward to playing my part in ensuring they get the quality apprenticeships they deserve.​"

Chief executive Bill Jermey said: "Paul's passion for training and apprenticeship shines through in everything he does. We were fortunate to have him as chair of the Butchery Trailblazer and I'm sure he will continue that good work on the board of the Institute for Apprenticeships."​

Expertise​

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Robert Halfon said: "With employer expertise at its heart, the Institute for Apprenticeships will play a crucial role in raising the prestige of apprenticeships and ensuring employers can get the skilled workforce they desperately need."​

The newly formed board, announced on Friday, will be made up of eight members, with the majority being employers, business leaders and their representatives. The core task of the Institute, which becomes 'fully operational' in April, will be to support the government's drive to achieve three million apprenticeships by 2020.

The Institute is currently consulting on a draft operational plan to help achieve this. To have your say, submit your views here​.

National Butchers' Week runs from 13-19 March this year. We are running a product innovation contest. Tell us something you are proud of from your repertoire - either the recipe for a finished dish or an added value product on your counter, with serving suggestion. We will cover a selection online and the overall winner. For more information, or to submit an entry, please contact Aidan.Fortune@wrbm.com​. ​

#ButchersGiveYouIdeas

Twitter: @ButchersWeek​​

Facebook: @ButchersWeek ​