An apprenticeship in butchery, with the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland as industry lead and a consortium of industry and education and training providers, is currently being developed into a national apprenticeship programme, as part of the Government's plan to double the number of apprenticeships. The consortium submitted this programme for validation to Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) earlier this month and subject to successful validation will get underway in September 2018. The apprenticeship will lead to an award at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications with off-the-job training delivered in the first instance by Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board.