James tops skills heat

Twenty-year-old James Gracey, of Quails of Dromore in Co Down took the top spot when he scored the most points in the Northern Irish heat of the WorldSkills butchery challenge.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Jul 2016, 07:01 BST
James Gracey receives his certificate from Terry Jones from Cambrian Training Company watched by judges Roger Kelsey and Viv Harvey.James Gracey receives his certificate from Terry Jones from Cambrian Training Company watched by judges Roger Kelsey and Viv Harvey.
James Gracey receives his certificate from Terry Jones from Cambrian Training Company watched by judges Roger Kelsey and Viv Harvey.

Commenting on his win, the young butcher said this would help him become more confident. “It shows that I’ve learnt new skills and I can bring new skills into the workplace, and it proves that I’m progressing on,” he said,

Gracey said the competition was tough, but his hard work had paid off. “I just put as much effort in as I possibly could have and tried to show off things as well as I could.”

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As well as taking part in the WorldSkills butchery competition last year, he also competed in the Premier Young Butcher Awards in April.

Preparing for the finals which will take place later this year, Gracey said he would “Put my head down” and get the work done.

Last year’s WorldSkills UK finalist Dylan Gillespie, also 20, from Clogher Valley Meats in Co Tyrone, finished in second place so hopefully James will be able to go one place better.

The six butchers who score the most points out of the Welsh, Northern Irish and English heats will take part in the final which will be held in Birmingham’s NEC in November. Meat consultant Viv Harvey and the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders’ (NFMFT) national chairman Roger Kelsey served as the competition’s judges. The WorldSkills event is organised by Cambrian Training Company