Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Working Life
Deboners work on the production line in meat factories, using equipment such as knifes or cutting machinery to remove meat from the bone, in preparation for it be packaged and shipped to a store.
Meat factories are environments where cleanliness is essential, the ambient temperature will be low as the meat must be kept cold. The work is intensive, with workers spending long hours on their feet.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Use knives, cleavers, meat saws, bandsaws, or other equipment to perform meat cutting and trimming.
- Weigh meats and tag containers for weight and contents.
- Inspect meat products for defects, bruises or blemishes and remove them along with any excess fat.
- Cut and trim meat to prepare for packing.
- Separate meats and byproducts into specified containers and seal containers.
- Process primal parts into cuts that are ready for retail use.
- Prepare ready-to-heat foods by filleting meat or fish or cutting it into bite-sised pieces, preparing and adding vegetables or applying sauces or breading.
- Clean, trim, slice, and section carcasses for future processing.
- Remove parts, such as skin, feathers, scales or bones, from carcass.
- Prepare sausages, luncheon meats, hot dogs, and other fabricated meat products, using meat trimmings and hamburger meat.
Qualities - De-Boner
Deboners must be able to work quickly and precisely,
You must be physically fit as they will be spending long hours on their feet, chopping and dicing in a cold environment.
Interests - De-Boner
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - De-Boner
Some employers provide manual handling training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed a manual handling certificate prior to employment.
Training & Development
Manual Handling refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects to protect against back injury.
FSAI HACCP for Butchers Food Safety Authority for Ireland health & safety food awareness.
Some employers provide health & safety or first aid training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed such training prior to employment.
Health & safety and first aid courses are often provided in FET Centres or through ETBs. These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: food, hospitality, culinary arts.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: food, hospitality, culinary arts.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Butcher.
Search for Apprenticeships
Pay & Salary - De-Boner
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €37k
Salaries vary based on employer, duties, role, location, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Enterprise.gov.ie/ Salary expert
Last Updated: February, 2024
Labour Market Updates - De-Boner
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Food, drink and tobacco process operatives.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The employment growth rate was almost on a par with the national average, although employment levels did not change between 2021 and 2022. There was a high share of non-Irish citizens, at 41%. The volume of employment permits issued in 2022 grew strongly compared to 2021, with the reintroduction of quotas for meat processing operatives.
There was also a high volume of vacancies for meat processing operatives advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland. Difficult-to-fill vacancies for food operatives occurred in the Recruitment Agency Survey and Skills for Growth data, although small in numbers. Targets to reduce agricultural carbon emissions are likely to see demand for this occupation curtailed, although issues with recruitment may persist due to the perceived attractiveness of some of the roles in this group.
Useful Contacts - De-Boner
-
Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI)
-
Health and Safety Authority
- The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
- 1890 289 389
- [email protected]
- Click Here
