Going Back to School

Before the grandchildren came to live with us, I was going to attend meat cutting school. I was working full-time at the grocery store, and part-time in the meat department. There was a need for a part-time meat cutter at the grocery store where I was working, and I would be working at nearby stores to make a full-time schedule. After the children arrived, I went to working one day a week for five hours in the meat department. Although my tasks are more than just wrapping meat as I am allowed to grind meat into hamburger and seasoned taco meat. On occasions I use a knife to cut boneless pork loin chops and split chicken breasts.

Our community is growing with new homes being built and families moving into our area. The business at the small grocery store is increasing, and so is the need to have someone able to cut meat on Sundays. Sunday is the big revenue day of the week for our community. Having a meat cutter to keep the shelves stocked as well as specific requests for customers will only help our store sales continue to grow.

The company offered the opportunity to other employees working at the store who were younger than myself. They all turned it down. The meat department is a cold place to work or they were interested in a different occupation. One young person wants to attend college without the student loans, but does not work to be come a meat cutter as that is not the area they want to learn in school or do for a career. Yet, being a meat cutter would pay more than being a cashier.

I have noticed that the younger generations do not consider trades as a career. The trades are very important if we are to continue to live in houses, have electricity and water along with other comforts of home. My father was a mechanical contractor, meaning he installed plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) in homes and buildings. My father thought trades were very important and would always be needed. “Everyone has the biological need to use the bathroom. The facility they use may change, but the need will always be there and the waste transported somewhere.” were his words in relation to learning a trade.

Once more I was approached on becoming a part-time meat cutter by attending the meat cutter school. The company is paying for my training, I will have to pay for transportation and a hotel room for a week. After the training I will be a meat cutter provided I pass. I will have a new occupation.

Why a new occupation at the age of 60 years. The truth is we do not have the income coming into our home to pay off the home mortgage that would allow my husband to retire. With the position of meat cutter and working a full-time week, we would be able to pay off the mortgage allowing my husband to retire.

I am excited about this learning adventure. Learning how to cut different portions of meat will assist me in the butcher processing of my own lamb. Learning also keeps our minds active, and younger. I will never stop learning new things.

amtolle