London (UK), February 2008 - The British Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has awarded McDonald's, Network Rail, and Flybe awarding-body status. For the first time, commercial companies are now able to award nationally accredited qualifications to employees. The move was announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at an event attended by McDonald's CEO and President, Steve Easterbrook, and Chief People Officer and Senior Vice President, David Fairhurst.
All three companies met the standards set by QCA for awarding accredited qualifications, enabling them to assess, track, and recognise workplace learning, which would have previously been lost. The employer-recognition scheme will form part of the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), which is currently being trialled in many different businesses and sectors. The credit-based framework has been devised to ensure the capture of learning and skills in a way that is clearer to employers and learners.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) applauds this first major step as a positive move towards an awards system that can deliver the skills employers need. Dr. Ken Boston, QCA's Chief Executive said, "Companies currently invest £33 billion every year in training their staff, but only one-third of employer training leads to qualifications because not enough official courses offer the competencies that employers require". He continued, "The progress that the QCA has made is very encouraging. It is vital that reform continues apace, and we look forward to further developments before the pilots conclude in March".
But there are also some critical voices to be heard. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union observed, "Any body given the power to award qualifications must meet the stringent requirements set down by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority. We fully understand the benefits of people being able to transfer in-house accredited training to the next level. However, we would have concerns about qualifications that are very narrow and specific to one organisation, like McDonald's".
Since January 2008, McDonald's has been piloting a 'Basic Shift Managers' course, with the learning programme divided into credits, in line with QCF guidelines. The course covers everything the 7,000 managers of McDonald's outlets across the country need to know for the day-to-day running of a McDonald's restaurant, from basic operational requirements to finance, marketing, and HR.
David Fairhurst, McDonald's Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer commented, "Receiving official awarding body status is an important and exciting step for McDonald's. As a progressive employer, we are committed to taking a leadership position in training and skills. We want to ensure that our approach to recruitment, training, and development continues to create real opportunities for social mobility."
