Side order of training at McDonald’s pays off for 100th fast food apprentice

However a McDonald’s boss in Yorkshire is celebrating having helped 100 of his employees to earn the firm’s own apprenticeship award since it was launched two years ago.

Pritpal Singh owns 24 restaurant franchises across the region including in Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield and Harrogate.

Sam Butler, who works in the Briggate restaurant in Leeds is the 100th member of staff to achieved the McDonald’s apprenticeship accredited by training provider City and Guilds.

The 18-year-old, who has worked his way up from crew member to floor manager said: “The opportunity came at the perfect time for me as I had just completed a course in joinery at college, but I knew it wasn’t really something I wanted to build a career on. Joining the McDonald’s apprenticeship scheme made me realise that hospitality was a field I was really interested in progressing in. The programme helped me see the bigger picture at McDonald’s and I have gained a greater understanding of the business.”

McDonald’s was recently awarded a good with outstanding features rating from Ofsted for its apprenticeship programme. The firm’s staff can go on to earn a foundation degree in managing business operations for the restaurant.

Mr Butler added: “I feel it has opened up a lot of doors for me within the company, both on a day-to-day level as I am more confident with both customers and staff and also in the longer term it has made me more ambitious than before and I’m keen to stay and work towards more qualifications at McDonald’s.

“I would definitely recommend it to others in my team as it not only adds a qualification to your CV, but also gives you the confidence to work your way further up the career ladder.” Mr Singh said: “The education landscape in the UK is currently evolving in the midst of the changing economic climate.

“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 very proud of the dedication and hard work of the 100 of my crew who have completed the apprenticeship, and of those who are currently working towards the qualification.”