Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning visits McDonald’s Southall.
22nd February 2012: John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, will visit the McDonald’s restaurant in Southall to find out more about the workplace skills and nationally recognised qualifications that franchisee Atul Pathak offers to his staff.
Atul Pathak, franchisee for 20 McDonald’s restaurants and employer of 1,500 people across North and North West London, is keen for the minister to see the facilities on offer at his state-of-the-art training centre at Southall, which is equipped with computer workstations and audio visual teaching aids for interactive training sessions. In addition, the facility is also an accredited examination centre enabling staff to sit exams on-site in the presence of qualified invigilators. The suite of qualifications available to McDonald’s staff includes Basic and Advanced Shift Management, making it possible for staff to gain a Level 3 Diploma in Shift Management, which is nationally recognised on the Qualification and Credit Framework. Staff can also study for a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hospitality. The Apprenticeship recognises job-specific skills acquired through workplace training, combined with Maths and English qualifications.
During the visit, John Hayes MP will have the opportunity to speak to employees who have benefited from the workplace learning and qualifications on offer at Atul’s restaurants. More than 200 employees have successfully completed the various qualifications on offer through the McDonald’s system at the training centre and by the end of March, over 70 employees will have completed the apprenticeship programme.
Speaking about the minister’s visit, Atul Pathak said: “My employees are the bedrock of my business and it is therefore crucial that I provide an opportunity for them to develop. I’m looking forward to speaking to John Hayes in more detail about how workplace learning and qualifications offer a boost for my employees who can use them to build a rewarding career at McDonald’s, or use them in the future for other roles in the hospitality sector.”
Skills Minister John Hayes said: “I am very much looking forward to seeing the Southall McDonald’s restaurant and state of the art training centre. Each year McDonald’s starts thousands of young people off on a strong career path by giving them both a job as well as valuable training.
“Work-based qualifications not only give staff a stronger sense of purposeful pride in their own achievements, they also increase the efficiency and productivity of businesses, contributing to a stronger economy and the common good.”
