McDonald’s launches nationwide paid work scheme for UK youth
The scheme will be run through franchisees and prioritise areas with fewer opportunities.
McDonald’s UK says it will run what it describes as the country’s largest in-person work experience scheme, offering 2,500 paid placements in its first year across restaurants nationwide.
The company says the programme is aimed at young people struggling to find their first job and is intended to address barriers to entering work, particularly rising youth unemployment.
It plans to use its existing restaurant network to deliver the placements locally.
McDonald’s cites its own survey of young people, which suggests a gap between confidence and access to jobs.
It reports that 80% of young people in education or work feel they have something to contribute, but that figure drops amongst those not in education, employment, or training (57%).
The research also highlights demand for work experience alongside complaints about limited availability locally and the cost of unpaid placements.
The scheme will be run through franchisees and will prioritise areas with fewer opportunities.
McDonald’s says a quarter of placements are intended for young people who are not in education, employment, or training or are considered at risk of becoming so.
Participants, all aged 16 and over, will complete five days of paid work experience in restaurant settings.
Tasks will include customer service, stock handling, and drive-through operations, alongside basic training in workplace skills such as communication, time management, and interview preparation.
Staff in each restaurant will supervise participants.
The company says the programme continues earlier initiatives such as its apprenticeship scheme and other youth-focused training projects, which it claims have reached large numbers of young people over the past two decades.
McDonald’s is also working with research organisations looking at youth employment trends and policy responses, including studies focused on young people not in education, employment, or training.
The announcement aligns with government efforts to increase participation in work or training amongst young people through its Youth Guarantee programme.
