Over 200 Northern Ireland McDonald’s Apprentices are among the first in the UK to complete the qualification since it was launched in 2009.
Recently awarded a ‘good’ rating in its first Ofsted inspection, the McDonald’s Apprenticeship scheme provides training in job specific skills in customer service, teamwork and communications.
The apprenticeship qualification, which is equivalent to five GCSEs, sits in the middle of the McDonald’s ‘Learning Ladder’ which ranges from work experience for over 16-year-old school goers to a Foundation Degree in Managing Business Operations for restaurant managers.
Said Janine McCreery, a newly qualified Apprentice from Dundonald : “The Apprenticeship scheme gave me the opportunity to achieve a qualification whilst I worked and earned money which is really important to me.
“I’m enjoying my job and the scheme has made me more confident, so much so that I’ve been promoted to a trainer which means I can pass on what I’ve learnt to others. I want to continue to progress even further and one day maybe even run my own restaurant.”
As one of the UK’s largest providers of apprenticeships, almost 3,000 McDonald’s staff from across the UK have already completed one with over 7,000 more currently working towards achieving the qualification. Nationally recognised and City and Guild’s accredited, it provides employees with transferable skills they can use in their role at McDonald’s and in their future careers.
Local franchisee Paul McDermott said: “The education landscape in Northern Ireland is currently evolving in the midst of the changing economic climate, and as a result, vocational qualifications are more relevant than ever before since they provide people with the opportunity to continue gaining qualifications at the same time as working in a relevant employment sector.
“I’m proud to be able to offer local people this type of opportunity in the form of our Apprenticeship scheme and believe it’s important for more businesses to invest in such training opportunities.
“Giving people the chance to learn and earn means I can attract the very best people. The skills staff develop on the Apprenticeship scheme can help increase their enthusiasm, confidence and professional attitude which is good for them, good for business and good for our customers too. Ultimately, any business that invests in people now during tougher times will help our economy in the longterm by helping strengthen the taskforce.”
Apprenticeships are part of a framework of qualifications that McDonald’s offer to its staff, which include nationally recognised qualifications in maths and English which almost 5,000 people have gained to date, to a diploma in shift management which 2,300 employees have completed. The full range of qualifications offered by McDonald’s is showcased in a newly launched prospectus which is available in careers centres across Northern Ireland.
To find out more about the training opportunities McDonald’s offers visit mcdonalds.co.uk/people