McDonald’s is the big mac for apprenticeship schemes

Once, working at McDonald’s might have been seen as a career with limited prospects but by offering a variety of qualifications and job opportunities the organisation has given many the chance they’ve needed to gain high-quality diplomas, managerial jobs and a boost of confidence.

Since McDonald’s became one of the largest apprenticeship providers in January 2009, it has signed up a phenomenal 5,000 employees to its apprenticeship scheme. Many who have benefitted have been those worst hit by the financial crisis - the long-term unemployed and 16-24s.

Eighteen-year-old Samuel Bennet from Bristol started working for McDonald’s when he was 16 in late 2008. After starting on the McDonald’s apprenticeship scheme he achieved the equivalent of five GCSEs and other academic skills and is now set to become a shift running manager in the next few weeks.