Opening doors to jobs

We aim to help one million people in our communities gain new skills  and open doors through training, work experience and equal employment opportunities.

Our commitment and goals

Web graphics Master - all sizes-08-2024

Ongoing: By 2024 support youth services through every restaurant

2025

Achieved: By 2025 have supported 3,000 apprentices

Web graphics Master - all sizes-08-2024

By 2030 help one million people gain new skills and open doors to jobs

Delivering on our commitments

We believe in championing great people, whatever their background – and helping to open doors to skills, jobs, and opportunities. We understand that not everyone has the same start in life, so we’ve set a goal of helping one million people into training, jobs or new opportunities by 2030. To us, that’s not just a number. That’s one million lives that we can help to change for the better.

Giving young people confidence and skills

At McDonald’s, we’re passionate about helping our people grow. Since 2006, our Apprenticeship Programme has supported over 22,000 employees in developing new skills and unlocking career progression opportunities across our business.

In 2022, we launched our Apprenticeship Programme in Ireland, marking a significant step in our commitment to nurturing talent locally. As we continue to grow, we’re focused on increasing diversity and representation across our programme – ensuring it reflects the vibrant communities we serve.

In November 2024, we celebrated a major milestone with our first apprentice graduate in Ireland – a proud moment for our teams and an amazing display of the power of learning and development. In February 2025, we opened applications for our annual McDonald’s Apprenticeship Awards, receiving multiple nominations for both learners and mentors. These awards shine a spotlight on those who go above and beyond, recognising the incredible impact apprenticeships have on our people, our culture, and our business. 

Working with the Irish Youth Foundation

In 2022 and 2023, McDonald’s Ireland provided €200,000 in grants to the Irish Youth Foundation to run the McDonald’s Youth Opportunity Ireland programme. The programme works directly with community-based youth organisations to support disadvantaged young people between the ages of 15 and 24 who are not currently in education, training or employment. It aims to empower young people with the training and mentorship they need to access the employment market.  Launched in 2022, the programme directly impacted 4,898 young people living across 25 countries in Ireland in 2022 and 2023.

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Helping 1 million people into training, jobs or new opportunities

We’re proud to be able to make a positive impact on the communities where we operate by supporting people into work. In addition to directly employing over 155,000 people, representing a mix of many ages and life stages, we run a range of programmes to help people into work. Since we launched our Plan for Change in 2021 to December 2024, these programmes have helped 367,000 people gain new skills and open doors to jobs.

Our new digital education and skills platform, Taste for Work, launched in September 2023. Created with education experts, it aims to support the transition from school to work by providing vital skills such as communication and goal setting. At the end of 2024 the campaign reached over 165,000 young people in over 850 schools, many in Government-specified education ‘cold spots’, including over 20% serving special educational needs. 

Expanding our apprenticeship programme

At McDonald’s, we believe in unlocking potential and creating opportunities for everyone. Since launching our Apprenticeships Programme in 2006, we’ve supported over 22,000 individuals in kickstarting their careers – including over 3,600 apprentices between 2018 and December 2024 alone.

Our programme offers opportunities for every restaurant role, as well as corporate apprenticeships in areas such as project management, data science, and human resources. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your career, our apprenticeships provide the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed.

We’re proud to be recognised as a top employer for apprenticeships, consistently earning national accolades. In 2025, McDonald’s was ranked 9th in the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers our second consecutive year in the top 10. We’re also celebrating the achievements of our talented apprentices, with two shortlisted for the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and one finalist for the National Apprenticeship Awards in 2024.

In February 2025, we marked National Apprenticeship Week with a dynamic series of audio-visual podcasts. These featured inspiring stories from current apprentices, insights from our external training providers, and reflections from our dedicated Apprentice Mentors—offering a behind-the-scenes look at life as a McDonald’s apprentice.

We also hosted Open Days for our corporate teams, giving colleagues the chance to explore apprenticeship opportunities through interactive games, prizes, and branded merchandise.

In July, we held our annual McDonald’s Apprenticeship Celebration Ceremony – a highlight of our calendar. This event honours the achievements of our degree graduates, as well as the winners and finalists of our internal Apprenticeship Awards. It’s a moment to recognise those who go above and beyond, and to celebrate the powerful impact apprenticeships have on our people and our business.

We're one of Ireland's top employers

In 2024, McDonald’s Ireland was named in the Top 150 Best Employers in Ireland, based on an independent survey commissioned by the Sunday Independent.

Our focus on great people extends to our supply chain as well. We work with over 29,000 Irish and British farmers, helping them through our Farm Forward programme to build sustainable businesses, for themselves and for the planet. It’s not just about people who are already farmers either. By 2030, we aim to kick-start over 100 careers in food and farming for young people from diverse backgrounds through our McDonald’s Young Talent programme.

From crew member to team manager

Shauna joined the team in the McDonald’s Temple Bar restaurant in 2012 as one of the new restaurant’s first crew members. Starting work part-time while she was still in secondary school, Shauna continued to work in McDonald’s throughout her time in college. Rising through the ranks from crew member, Shauna now holds the title of first assistant manager. She is also currently the acting Business Manager of the Temple Bar restaurant  and hopes to secure this position as the next step on her career ladder.

Shauna’s seven years in McDonald’s has taught her a range of life-skills as well as providing her with invaluable business experience. From decision making and leadership skills to business management and development knowledge, McDonald’s has had a significant impact on Shauna’s personal and professional growth.

For Shauna, working in McDonald’s is all about the people. Customer satisfaction is central to her role. She enjoys getting to know people from different backgrounds and cultures and has learned how to be a more empathetic and effective communicator as a result.

The career progression curve in McDonald’s is also a huge attraction for Shauna to remain with the company. Shauna’s long-term career aspiration is to some day become a franchisee herself! Franchisee James Perry has had a huge influence on her career and she hopes to one day follow in his footsteps and run her own restaurant.

"If somebody was to tell me five years ago that I was going to be a business manager looking after a team of 50 people, I would have said no way. McDonald’s is a great employer because it offers people opportunities and it empowers people by sending them on courses."

Shauna, Business Manager, Dublin

Inclusive and diverse

Inclusive and diverse

From our senior leaders to our restaurant teams, we aim to reflect the diverse communities we are part of and stand up for individuality and equality.

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Our Plan

Our long-term goals in full

See the details behind our Plan.

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