McDonald's offers apprenticeships

McDonald's will become the largest apprenticeship provider in the UK

McDonald's is to offer staff the chance of an apprenticeship in operating a fast-food restaurant.

The City & Guilds-accredited course in multi-skilled hospitality will be equivalent to five GCSE grades A*- C.

The burger chain will offer the scheme to up to 6,000 staff this year and 10,000 from 2010, making it the largest apprenticeship provider in the UK.

A year ago the firm won approval to offer basic shift manager courses equivalent to A-level standard.

'First qualification'

The apprenticeship opportunity is being extended across its 72,000-strong workforce at 1,200 restaurants, after being piloted at 80 outlets.

It covers areas such as leadership and team working, handling money and figures, dealing with customers and communication, nutrition and the environment.

David Fairhurst, chief people officer of McDonald's UK, said there was a high level of interest in the scheme among staff.

"We know from talking to staff that some did not get on with the education system and this will be their first qualification," he said.

"For others it will give them the opportunity to go on to other qualifications."

The basic shift management course, which became dubbed McQualification, has already been taken up by 3,000 employees.

McDonald's joined airline Flybe and Network Rail as the first companies to be approved to offer the A-level equivalent courses.