McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy Opens Career Paths For Young People

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy has produced approximately 5,500 graduates in the field of food service and hospitality since 2018, thereby opening opportunities for young people to build skills, confidence and a clearer career future.

Its managing director and local operating partner, Datuk Azmir Jaafar, said that every young person deserves the opportunity to build their future regardless of their background or starting point.

"Through the McDonald's Vocational Academy, we want to help young people build skills, confidence, and qualifications that can open up more opportunities for continuous growth.

"When about 80 per cent of graduates continue with McDonald’s and more than 250 have progressed to supervisory and management positions, it shows that the first opportunity can be the beginning of a bigger career," he said at the sixth McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy Convocation Ceremony recently.

He said the academy currently produces about 1,500 to 2,000 students a year, with the number targeted to increase to 6,000 students a year by 2028 through the expansion of cooperation with educational institutions and the implementation of the Academy in Industry (ADI) initiative.

Azmir said the effort is in line with McDonald’s Malaysia's commitment to strengthen the development of local talent and produce a more skilled workforce to meet the needs of the food and beverage industry, including the company itself which requires about 20,000 workers each year.

"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 job requirements," he said.

According to him, 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 underprivileged families, have the opportunity to undergo training at the McDonald’s Malaysia Vocational Academy.

He said that after completing the training, graduates have a structured career development path, starting as crew members before progressing to crew leaders, assistant restaurant managers, and then restaurant managers, in addition to having the opportunity to participate in advanced training and build a career in operational or corporate roles.

Meanwhile, Education deputy director-general (School Operations Sector) Datuk Zainal Abas said that close cooperation between educational institutions and the industry is important in strengthening TVET and helping young people transition more confidently from the learning environment to the working world.

"TVET is capable of providing pathways from learning to employment and career development, as well as shaping personal character. In addition, industry involvement also plays an important role in ensuring that training remains relevant to the actual needs of the workplace.

"Programmes like the McDonald's Vocational Academy demonstrate how learning, practical experience, and recognised qualifications can be combined to prepare young people to continue developing and contributing to the country's development," he said.

At the convocation ceremony, a total of 359 graduates received the Malaysian Skills Diploma and the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level Three.

A graduate, Rozel Iswandi, 19, said the opportunity to undergo SKM Level Three skills training opened up avenues for him to develop his career with McDonald's.

Although he did not complete his schooling, the Orang Asli youth from Kampung Sungai Genting, Chenderiang, Tapah in Perak, proved that skill qualifications can be a pathway to building a better career.

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to attend a convocation ceremony. I am grateful that through the McDonald's Vocational Academy, I had the opportunity to experience that and was subsequently appointed as the crew chief," he said.

The recipient of the Excellent Apprentice Award (Theory), Nur Alina Amira Abdul Rahim, said that her less-than-fortunate family background motivated her to continue striving to advance her career with McDonald's through the acquisition of an SKM.

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to continue my studies. I am very grateful because the chance to work at McDonald's for three years gave me the space to learn skills and obtain a certificate," she added.

The eldest of two siblings said that she was also working to build a better career to help improve her family's standard of living, in addition to planning to continue her studies to the diploma level.

--BERNAMA