FAST FOOD chain McDonald’s have announced a drive to provide up to 6,000 jobs for long -term unemployed people.
The company has linked up with JobCentres to give jobseekers the opportunity to take part in work trials at McDonald’s restaurants across the UK.
About 10 jobs could be created at the restaurants in Huddersfield under the new scheme.
Candidates from JobCentres will be given the chance to try working at a McDonald’s restaurant as part of their recruitment process – enabling them to demonstrate personal qualities that might not be apparent from a CV or interview with potential employers.
The announcement comes as new research by Leeds Metropolitan University says that McDonald’s is making a “significant contribution” to improving social mobility.
The report published today said that McDonald’s approach to recruitment, training and development allowed employees to progress.
It found that eight out of 10 staff viewed the job as a long-term career while 40% who had few or no qualifications when they started with the company have improved on their highest qualification since joining.
Some 83% said they had improved or developed their skills while 96% believed the skills they gained would be useful to any future prospective employers.
Pritpal Singh, local franchisee at the restaurant in Kirkgate, Huddersfield, said: “Our approach to recruitment is about qualities not qualifications.
“Our training provides a balance between on-the-job skills development as well as nationally recognised GCSE and A-Level equivalent qualifications. We employ people, not CVs and we help them to be the best they want to be by providing a broad range of opportunities.”
Said Mr Singh: “I’m encouraged by the research findings because every day I see employees in my restaurants taking advantage of what’s on offer to them with both hands.
“It can change their lives significantly and that’s brilliant to see, whether they stay at McDonald’s or take their skills to the wider workforce.”
The university report found that an “overwhelming” number of employees had risen to management positions after taking advantage of training and development with McDonald’s.
Report author Mark Rudd, senior researcher at the university’s Policy Research Institute, said: “Giving people the opportunity to learn practical business skills and gain transferable skills which can then be sold to other employers is possibly the most important factor in social mobility, especially when it is offered to those who might not otherwise have had the chance.”
