McDonald's has developed the new training and qualification package for those Games Makers who would benefit from a national qualification by handing over its award-winning online training programme so that, after the Games, the training the Games Makers have undertaken can be transferred into a qualification accredited by City & Guilds.

By offering the qualification to unemployed volunteers, it aims to equip people with skills and confidence to help them into the world of work after the Games while the qualification is transferable and can be used as a unit towards an apprenticeship in hospitality in the future.

"McDonald's has years of experience in delivering qualifications on a huge scale to its 87,500 employees," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"Volunteers will now be able to benefit from this expertise, with the chance to gain a valuable qualification.

"It will give the volunteers the opportunity to learn new, practical and relevant skills that they can put to use long after the Games have left London."

Each person to complete the qualification will also be offered an interview for a job at McDonald's and the opportunity to study for an apprenticeship to give them the chance to put their skills, experience and qualification to use in a career in the service and hospitality sector.

On top of the time spent undergoing Games Maker training and volunteering, those who choose to complete the qualification will need to complete an online learning module and sit an exam at their nearest City & Guilds accredited exam centre.


"This summer all eyes will be on Britain as we host the world's greatest sporting event," said the vice-president of people for McDonald's UK Jez Langhorn.

"It's always been our ambition to use our role as Presenting Partner for the Games Maker programme to deliver a lasting legacy that will create opportunities for the volunteers themselves, will raise hospitality standards in our own business and across the service sector as a whole.

"We've always believed in helping people fulfill their potential no matter what their background.

"It's an approach that serves us well in our own business and it's why the customer service qualification will be going to those people who we think can benefit from it the most, helping to boost their confidence and giving them skills that will help them to get a step on the career ladder."

As part of its role as Presenting Partner, McDonald's is providing training staff, materials and facilities to help attract, select and train up to 70,000 volunteers needed for the Games.

Last year 1,800 volunteer interviewers were trained at McDonald's training facilities in East Finchley in London.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2012: Coe launches major training event for London 2012 Games Makers
January 2012: Training 70,000 Games Makers is the biggest challenge so far, admits London 2012 chief Deighton
January 2012: Chris English - The Games Makers will be the face of London 2012 for spectators
November 2011: London 2012 unveils official uniforms for Games Makers and technical officials
November 2011: London 2012 Games Makers to be trained at Hackney Community College