McDonald's restaurants have been leading the way on training initiatives in 2009 thanks to the launch of a new apprenticeship programme across all 1,200 restaurants in the UK.

Up to 6,000 apprenticeships will be provided in 2009 and the figure will rise to up to 10,000 per year from 2010 and it is hoped the scheme will provide staff with a valuable, nationally recognised qualification which is equivalent to 5 good GCSE grade A* - C. The move will make McDonald's the UK's largest apprenticeship provider.

As BHA Chief Executive Bob Cotton has repeatedly urged, in challenging economic times it is more important than ever for employers to invest in their staff. McDonald's stated: "Apprenticeships will help give our employees the skills, confidence and competence they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability, thus delivering an even better service to our customers.

“The apprenticeships will give our staff a set of valuable, transferable skills, helping them to progress within the company or to move on to their next job."