McDonald’s employees praise apprenticeship programme

TWO Cork-based McDonald’s employees have praised the restaurant chain’s apprenticeship programme.

Kevin Frier, a first assistant manager at McDonald’s on Patrick Street, and Hannah Al Maghrabi, a business manager at McDonald’s in Ballincollig, have told of the opportunity the McDonald’s Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision has given them to further their careers in the business.

McDonald’s celebrated National Apprenticeship Week to raise awareness of the breadth of apprenticeships, recognising and applauding success stories across its Ireland and UK businesses.

McDonald’s Ireland has partnered with Retail Ireland Skillnet, the retail sector’s leading work-based learning college, to deliver the apprenticeship programme for crew members based across Ireland, which first launched in 2022.

McDonald’s Apprenticeship Programme is part of its proud commitment to giving people a start in their careers and supporting them to get ahead. The programme provides an opportunity to develop new skills and open up career progression opportunities in the business.

Since 2006, McDonald’s has supported more than 20,000 people from across the UK and Ireland with an apprenticeship opportunity.

Following a review in 2023, 100% of apprenticeship achievers at McDonald’s said that the programme helped them progress in their careers, 98% said the training helped them perform better at work and 86% said they were more productive at work.

Kevin has reflected on how the apprenticeship opportunity has empowered him, crediting the fantastic support received from senior management to his peers, including his mentor Denise Weathers.

The 24-year-old hopes to progress his career within McDonald’s and move up to a business manager position, saying the apprenticeship has helped fast-track this.

“When I look back three years ago when I first started working here, I don’t think I ever saw myself as getting into the position where I am now or getting the opportunity to do a college course and having the possibility of going on and doing a degree,” said Kevin.

For business manager Hannah, at McDonald’s in Ballincollig, the apprenticeship course was a huge opportunity she didn’t want to miss.

“When I first started the apprenticeship, it was quite nerve-racking as I’d been out of education for some time but getting back into it helps to build your confidence and empowers you to develop your skills.”

The Retail Supervision Level 6 apprenticeship includes modules such as supervision and leadership, customer experience and marketing, offering practical learnings to apply for day-to-day in the workplace.

McDonald’s Franchisee Christopher Pim explained: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our crew members to develop their skill set, their education and allows them to go forward and do a degree.”