McDonalds to offer nationally recognised qualifications

McDonalds is to become one of the first employers allowed to award nationally recognised qualifications through its training programmes.

The Government is set to announce that the fast-food giant, Network Rail and airline Flybe will accredit their own training equivalent to GCSEs, A-Levels and degrees.

McDonalds will train staff for a certificate in basic shift management, which includes modules on human resources, finance and hygiene.

The three companies are the first to gain accrediting powers from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which will oversee pilot schemes.

Employers’ group the CBI said it was “a positive move” towards an awards system that can deliver the skills employers need.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, said: “Companies currently invest £33b every year in training their staff, but only one-third of employer training leads to qualifications because not enough official courses offer the competencies that employers require. 

“Firms have instead run their own bespoke training programmes and formally recognising more of this employer training will lead to more relevant qualifications and give a greater recognition to business and employee investment in skills.”

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By Daniel Thomas

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