Burger chain set to serve up McHighers

McDONALD’S has long been known for its McNuggets, McJobs and even Ronald McDonald himself. Now the burger giant’s latest McPhenomenon – dubbed a McHigher – is set to come to Scotland.
Branded qualifications, which allow the company’s management scheme to be recognised as a formal qualification, were introduced in England and Wales earlier this year.

McDonald’s has revealed to The Scotsman that it is in talks with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) to roll out the system north of the Border.

The qualifications, based on courses and training given to staff in restaurants throughout the country, is likely to be equivalent to a Higher, but the company says it is to introduce more advanced qualifications – even up to degree level – in the future.

Trainees on any McDonald’s scheme learn the basics of the restaurant’s work, from burgerflipping to chipfrying, as well as management training.

Education experts have welcomed the scheme but warned the qualification might carry less weight than a traditional Higher for university entry.

Sue Husband, education manager for McDonald’s UK, told The Scotsman she was to travel to Scotland next week to meet representatives from the SCQF.

She said: "The SCQF has been positive about the idea. There have been vocational qualifications in Scotland for a number of years and Scotland is generally ahead of the game on this sort of thing, so it shouldn’t be too hard to introduce. However, we have to await the SCQF’s decision."

Thomas Kelly, director of operations in Scotland and Northern Ireland for McDonald’s, added: "People who go through management schemes like ours learn an awful lot and should be rewarded."

David Eaglesham, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, said: "Commercial organisations offering training to staff is a good idea. However, I don’t imagine universities will be rushing to recognise it.

"I would imagine there will be a bit of jocularfun in the sector about these qualifications – especially with McDonalds’ clown associations and so on."

Robin McAlpine, public affairs manager at university umbrella body Universities Scotland, said: "Universities are not snobby institutions, and credit from relevant experience that demonstrates a candidate is capable is taken into account.

"That is not to say that someone who wants to go to university would be advised to do anything other than taking solid qualifications."

Liz Lister, director of recruitment and admissions at Edinburgh University, said any McDonald’s qualification would be considered on the merit of its curriculum and teaching.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government, which oversees the SCQF, said it welcomed talks with McDonald’s and added systems existed in Scotland for employers and training providers to have their learning programmes recognised.