Retail Meat Specialist

Throughout this innovative program, you will benefit from extensive hands-on experience needed to work in "state of the art" meat cutting facilities.

Retail Meat Specialist is a certificate program offered on-campus and in partnership with Saskatchewan regional colleges. It will help you develop the skills you need to be successful in the meat-cutting industry. Our comprehensive curriculum and highly trained instructors will help you develop the professional skills you need for success in the industry. The program is built around food safety and focuses on:

  • muscle and skeletal structures
  • preparing pork, beef, lamb and poultry
  • curing and smoking meats
  • merchandising seafood
  • value-added oven ready products
  • sanitation

A two-week practicum is an integral part of the program. It provides you with the opportunity to apply theory to practice. You will also have the opportunity to further develop your skills by practicing your new skills with Saskatchewan Polytechnic Food Services. 

Admissions

Admission requirements

Note

Employers and/or supervisors of the practicum may require a Criminal Record Check and/or security clearance before you can complete the program requirements.

Alternative admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

  • 250 Arithmetic
  • 237 Reading

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2023-24 academic year

$9,400

International students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Get credit for what you know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

Transfer credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Additional information

Everett Nelson
Program head
Retail Meat Specialist