To work as a meat cutter, you typically need to:

• complete on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Some meat cutters learn their skills through meat cutting training programs. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer these programs. You can also take courses offered by organizations in the industry.

On-the-job training

Most meat cutters learn their skills on the job from experienced workers. The length of training varies by the type of work you do. Poultry cutters and trimmers receive up to one month of training. Those who slaughter cows receive up to one year of training. Butchers receive the most training, which generally is up to two years.