Serving up training opportunities at McDonald's
14 Dec 2011 3:26pm
Since the end of November, the NAC Group, via its training division, has been operating a sector-based work academy for the fast-food giant McDonald’s. Candidates, who are unemployed, come from the North and South Tyneside areas. The training is held at a centre in Gateshead, which is accessible to both groups.
The candidates on the course have been referred through Jobcentre Plus, and are drawn from a wide age range. The six-week pre-employment training programme covers a package of useful retail skills, together with more general improvements to employability. It includes coaching on CV preparation and interview techniques. Up to 30 hours a week are spent on the training and on an element of work experience at local restaurants. McDonald’s lays great stress on team working and customer service, as well as critical know-how on cleanliness and hygiene.
On successful completion of the training programme, candidates are guaranteed a job interview, and are expected to obtain employment as crew members. The jobs include all aspects of operating a fast food restaurant, including cooking, serving, maintenance and general support roles.
“The McDonald’s sector-based work academy is a great opportunity for people trying to move into the hospitality and catering industry” says Katie Hurst, who is managing the programme for the NAC Group. “The six week course is aimed at giving our candidates a level 2 qualification in Understanding Customer Service in the Retail Sector aligned with the work experience element of working in a McDonald’s outlet.”
“Every candidate is given the opportunity to get a taste of working life, joining a team of McDonald’s employees and sampling the different shifts that they would be required to work. I believe that the work academy is an excellent way of getting people who are long term unemployed, or who lack experience, in front of an employer. The guaranteed interview is a fantastic opportunity for the candidate to sell their skills and personality. The work experience at McDonald’s enables the candidate to build a rapport with their team and manager before the interview. At the same time, it allows the restaurant manager to see the candidate in action, and assess how they would fit into the existing team.”