Armed with certification, Tomeeka Talbot became the first of four Bermudians sent abroad on a Government initiative to be hired as a qualified butcher.She returned from three months of training at Meat Ipswich in Suffolk, England, and two weeks later landed a job on the same day she was interviewed at Miles Market.Struggling to make ends meets as a single mother through years of steady unemployment, yesterday she officially became the first female butcher at Miles in ten years.Settling into her new trade she said the sky’s the limit now that she has two contracts, one with Miles, and another with the National Training Board (NTB).“The NTB contract covers a three-year period, they’ve all agreed to send me back to do level three in my third year,” said Ms Talbot.“There’s at least four or five levels and I have aspirations to complete them all; I want to do the whole nine yards. I want to learn how to slaughter animals and everything there is to know in this trade.“When I saw it for the first time ever I was amazed by the whole process, to know where our food comes from, how it’s prepared and manufactured, the entire process.“I have a new found respect for the trade, I know it may seem like it’s a gross thing but it’s really not. The slaughter part is probably the most gruesome part about it, dangerous even.“It has changed me as a person and even how I eat because they are very conscious about food safety. They teach you about bacteria, all the food poisoning diseases like salmonella and ecoli.“Basically the only thing we can control is the temperature which controls the bacteria and how it reproduces. There’s heavy fines involved if you contaminate someone, so they are very keen on hygiene and safety.“Everything is done according to the law and they don’t cut any corners.”Not phased by the fact that the butcher trade is predominantly a male career, she said the profession embraces her “creative side” because she loves to work with her hands.“This was an opportunity that came up through my cousin, Senator Diallo Rabain. He was the one who told me about this programme and I really want to thank him. He pointed me in the right direction just before the government changed.”She also had high praise for the Minister, NTB member Noel Cann and Human Resource Administrator at Miles, Donna Ross, who conducted the interview for the position.Ms Ross noted that Ms Talbot received good grades, her teachers and Mr Cann also spoke very highly of her enthusiasm.“I thought it would be nice to support a female butcher in a field that has mostly been dominated by men. I also felt a bit of pride that she is a Bermudian female,” said Ms Ross.“All of this would not have been possible without the support of Will Cox, president and CEO and Miles’ Managers.“So far today Tomeeka is doing well. I understand she takes instructions well and the same enthusiasm shown prior to employment is still there.”She commended the NTB for taking “the right track with what they are trying to achieve”.“And I hope that more young people take advantage of future programmes,” she said.Sen Rabain, a keen proponent behind this programme since its inception, said: “I never stopped telling young people of the opportunities and for them to keep the faith.“I knew of Tomeeka’s struggles finding employment, I pushed her to meet with the NTB and provided one of the recommendations she needed, but I was adamant that she had to do this on her own.“Tomeeka has made me proud now that she has graduated and is back in Bermuda employed. I followed her journey on Facebook. I’m sure she will pass on her experiences as an example of how persevering and hard work can pay off.”Ms Talbot said: “Being unemployed takes you places in your mind, it rocks you to your very core and it’s probably why I’m even more spiritual today.“I’m in a lot of debt because I have asthma. Not being able to afford the right medication took me to the Emergency Ward for relief, which means debt.“One of my first goals is to go to the debt collectors to explain my case, I want them to know I wasn’t just abandoning my responsibilities. I’m hoping they’ll give a chance to catch up.“After that my plan is to work, save and make a way for my daughter to further her education abroad then the sky’s the limit.”Asked for her main message to others strapped by unemployment she paused to reflect.“It’s a humbling feeling when you can’t pay your own way, and very frustrating. For anyone who is feeling down because they’re unemployed my main message is don’t give up.“Just when you think you can’t see the light of day, God shows up and he’s always right on time.”