THE recession has butchered many industries over the past year, but one local trader has been keen to help students gain valuable work experience.
Anton Takacs, a butcher in Byron Parade, Hillingdon, has been taking on students from Abbotsfield School over the past couple of weeks to help them boost their catering and customer service skills.
Mr Takacs, whose family business Byron's Butchers has traded for more than 70 years, said: "I know from starting as a Saturday boy when I was at school how important it is to have handson experience. It also gives me the chance to pass on my skills and maybe train up the butch-ers of tomorrow.
"Some of the local schools do not have the facilities we have at Byron's, so this is my chance to show them the butchery and business side."
Becky Howells, of Ealing and Hillingdon Business Partnership, said: "Without the assistance and commitment from local employers such as Byron's, students may never get an opportunity to help them get a taste of real work.
"With the current economic climate, it is always beneficial for students to have work experience as well as GCSEs to help them when they eventually go out to work."
