A new paid apprenticeship program in Austin aims to help one neighborhood resident carve out a lasting career in the food industry.

Westside Health Authority and Forty Acres Fresh Market have partnered to launch The Butcher’s Path Workforce Apprenticeship Program. This year-long, full-time opportunity will train one participant to become a skilled butcher.

The 12-month program includes hands-on experience at Forty Acres Fresh Market, 5713 W. Chicago Ave., where the apprentice will learn to cut and process meat, poultry, and seafood; operate meat-processing equipment; and make products such as sausages and burgers. The apprenctice will also gain customer service experience and learn to maintain food safety standards.

“This is more than workforce training—it’s a chance to be part of a story of reclaiming health, wealth, and opportunity in Austin,” the flyer for the program states.

Applicants must be at least 18, legally eligible to work in the U.S., and live in one of the Austin ZIP codes 60651, 60639, or 60644. Strong work ethic, interest in butchery, and a willingness to learn are key qualifications. The position requires 32 to 40 hours a week, including some weekends and holidays.

Interested candidates should send a résumé and cover letter to jgreen@healthauthority.org, explaining their interest in the apprenticeship and what the opportunity would mean for them.

The partnership between Forty Acres and Westside Health Authority builds on a broader effort to strengthen Austin’s economy through locally rooted job creation. Forty Acres Fresh Market opened in September inside a renovated former Salvation Army building. The Westside Health Authority is a development partner with Forty Acres.

Founder Liz Abunaw launched the store after years of operating pop-up produce markets and produce delivery services. Forty Acres was financed through public and philanthropic funding and designed to fill a long-standing grocery gap on the West Side.

In addition to offering fresh produce, dry goods, and hot meals, the store features a service butcher counter, a rapidly vanishing feature in the grocery industry. The new apprenticeship aims to ensure that skilled jobs created by the store stay within the community.

---

More Career Opportunities

Westside Branch NAACP Hosting Job Readiness Fairs

The Chicago Westside Branch NAACP will host two job readiness fairs in October. The events are designed to be one-stop resources for youth 18+ and adults, helping them prepare for the workforce and access vital services. On-site services include: resume creation and mock interviews, free bank accounts, state ID support, expungement counseling, free interview clothing, and hygiene products.

• Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Moore Park, 5085 W. Adams St.
• Wednesday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Martin de Porres, 5112 W. Washington Blvd.

---

National NAACP Virtual Career Fair – Oct. 15

The National NAACP will host a Virtual Career Fair that easily connects you – from wherever you are – with employers seeking to hire diverse professionals nationwide. It is designed to bring employers and job seekers together virtually for jobs that can be done remotely or on-site. 

The NAACP Virtual Career Fair is open to all candidates across the nation, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to attend. This event is a 100% online career fair and will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 15, noon to 4 p.m. (EDT). Click here for more info.