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News McDonald’s becomes first employer to provide national qualification for work experience Young people who complete work experience placements at McDonald’s will have the opportunity to gain a GCSE-equivalent qualification that recognises their work skills and achievements, it will be announced today. The move comes as young people seek job opportunities in a fiercely competitive jobs market, and a new poll of 2,000 14-19 year olds reveals that quality work experience has become a CV must-have for UK teens. According to the survey, commissioned by McDonald’s, more than eight in ten (86 per cent) of young people said a strong academic record is no longer enough to guarantee a good job, and 81 per cent agreed that high-quality work experience gives young people the employment edge. Those polled also expressed strong support for work experience qualifications: 86 per cent agreed that work experience is more valuable if it leads to a national qualification proving workplace skills. While Britain’s teenagers expressed a strong appetite for gaining work skills, they spoke out about their disappointment with the quality of opportunities currently on offer: More than half (51 per cent) believed there are not enough quality placements available - and among these, 81 per cent felt that employers are failing young people as a result One in five (22 per cent) felt their host employer had not planned the placement well enough in advance Announcing the qualification at the Institute for Education Business Excellence (IEBE) conference in Birmingham today (11th March) David Fairhurst, Chief People Officer, McDonald’s UK & Northern Europe, will say: “This is the first time a work experience programme has been aligned to a nationally-recognised qualification, and at McDonald’s we believe it has the potential to raise the expectations of employers, educators and students alike." “Whether people join McDonald’s for two weeks’ work experience or a full-time job, the aim is helping them build their confidence, gain transferable qualifications and fulfil their potential. Now, a placement will give young people on-the-job experience in a fast-paced business environment, a great set of all-round skills for any workplace, and a national qualification to increase their employability.” With almost one million young people out of work or training, leading employers are stepping up to the challenge to make every work placement a valuable and inspiring experience. That’s why McDonald’s – a champion of the Work Inspiration campaign which aims to make young people’s first experiences of work more meaningful, relevant and inspiring – is today launching a new robust work experience programme. Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, BiTC commented "We’re delighted to welcome this innovative initiative from McDonald’s to get more young people into the workplace. As a key champion of our Work Inspiration campaign, they have already contributed to our national business-led movement to ensure that young people’s first contact with the world of work is inspiring, meaningful and relevant. We hope that other businesses, of all sizes, will follow McDonald’s example by taking a leadership position on this important issue."