McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy Churns Out 1,500 Graduates A Year - Azmir

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy churns out about 1,500 to 2,000 graduates annually through the educational and skills training programmes it offers, said McDonald’s Malaysia Managing Director and Local Operating Partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar.

He said that this figure is targeted to increase to between 6,000 and 7,000 students per year through the expansion of collaborations with educational institutions and the implementation of the Academy in Industry (ADI) programme.

He said this effort is in line with McDonald’s Malaysia’s commitment to strengthen local talent development and produce more skilled workforce to meet the needs of the food and beverage industry, such as the company itself which requires about 20,000 workers annually.

"This approach is also in line with the government's recommendation for the industry to become an active partner in developing the country's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) talent, by ensuring that the training offered meets the actual needs of jobs," he told reporters after the sixth McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy Convocation Ceremony, here.

He added that McDonald’s Malaysia has discussed with various parties including the Ministry of Human Resources and educational institutions to promote the ADI programme so that more youths, especially from rural areas and less-privileged families, have the opportunity to join programmes at the McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy.

He said that including this batch of graduates, the vocational academy has successfully produced nearly 5,500 graduates in the food service and hospitality fields since 2018, thereby opening opportunities for young people to build skills, confidence, and a clearer career future.

"We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to build a future, regardless of their background or starting point. Through the McDonald’s Vocational Academy, we want to help them build skills, confidence, and qualifications that can open up more opportunities to continue growing.

"With about 80 percent of graduates staying on with McDonald’s and over 250 having progressed to supervisory and management positions, it shows that a first opportunity can be the beginning of a bigger career," he stated.

After completing training, graduates have a structured career progression path, starting as a crew member before advancing to crew leader, assistant restaurant manager, and subsequently restaurant manager, in addition to having the opportunity to participate in advanced training and build a career in operational or corporate roles.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director-General of Education Malaysia (School Operations Sector) at the Ministry of Education, Datuk Zainal Abas, said close cooperation between educational institutions and the industry is important to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and help young people transition more confidently from the world of learning to the world of work.

"TVET has the capability to provide a pathway from learning to employment and career progression as well as shape personal character. In addition, industry involvement plays an important role in ensuring that training remains relevant to the actual needs of the workplace.

"Programmes like the McDonald’s Vocational Academy show how learning, practical experience, and recognised qualifications can be combined to prepare young people to continue growing and contributing to national development," he noted.

At this convocation ceremony, a total of 359 graduates received the Malaysian Skills Diploma and level 3 Malaysian Skills Certificate.

For McDonald’s Vocational Academy graduate Rozel Iswandi, 19, the opportunity to follow Level 3 Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) skills training opened a space for him to develop his career with McDonald’s.

Even though he did not complete his schooling, the Orang Asli youth from Kampung Sungai Genting, Chenderiang, Tapah, Perak proved that a skills certificate can be a pathway to build a better career.

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to attend a convocation ceremony. Thank God, through the McDonald’s Vocational Academy, I had the opportunity to experience that and subsequently be appointed as a crew leader," he said.

The recipient of the Excellent Apprentice Award (Theory), Nur Alina Amira Abdul Rahim, said her less-privileged family background drove her to keep striving to improve her career with McDonald’s through the acquisition of the SKM.

"I never thought of having the opportunity to continue my studies and am very grateful that the opportunity to work at McDonald’s for three years gave me the space to learn skills and obtain a certificate," she expressed.

The eldest of two siblings said she also strives to build a better career to help elevate her family's standard of living, while planning to continue her studies to the diploma level.

-- BERNAMA