Business

McDonald’s manager Tonia Ilsley
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McDegree is now on menu for staff

December 23, 2010

With rising tuition fees making university a more costly option for many, one worker in Reading has pioneered a new degree course with burger giant McDonald’s.

Tonia Ilsley, 39, people manager with McDonald’s across all six restaurants in Reading, was one of 10 managers the company tested it on last year.

A further 53 have now started the two-year course.

McDonald’s says the two-year Foundation Degree, created in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University, is equal to a degree level qualification but combines academic study with on the job training.

The course, which is in managing business operations, involves 2,400 hours of learning time.

The company now publishes a prospectus of courses ranging from NVQs in maths and English to Level 2 Apprenticeships in hospitality to the new degree.

Mrs Ilsley said: “The Foundation Degree was a great opportunity for me.

“I’d never gone down the university route and this course came at the perfect time in my life.

“I was ready to invest my time in something that would help me in my career but that allowed me to carry on working as well.

“The opportunity to learn on the job and gain practical experience alongside the classroom based activity really appealed to me.”

“I’ve seen first hand how the full range of education programmes available to my teams increases their productivity, efficiency and confidence.

“I’m proud of all my people, whether they’re an 18-year-old crew member and qualified apprentice or restaurant manager like Tonia with a Foundation Degree because they all work hard to improve their skills and qualifications.

“Their ambitions and hard work make McDonald’s a great place for customers to visit and an enjoyable place to work.”

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I tend to agree Fred, but now that MacD's has part-funded this achievement, they probably wouldn't want her to leave to go and work at graduate level for KFC...

reynard, calcot
24/12/2010 at 12:51

In fairness to McDonalds, this kind of employer attitude is what we need more of. They are helping people who flourish in a traditional dead-end job to flourish and rise.

Fred Bloggs
24/12/2010 at 11:35

Does this degree teach you how to issue libel writs against anyone who criticises McDonalds and its policies on the environment, advertising to children, treatment of staff and animal welfare?

Gregory Beetle, Caversham Garden City
24/12/2010 at 09:22

I am with Basil here , what is it for, and what does it mean? Having the 'degree' just means that you have a, erm, degree.

reynard, calcot
24/12/2010 at 08:39

I hope this company paid for this advertising puff piece.

whitespirit
24/12/2010 at 07:59

Pru Naik, franchisee for all six restaurants in Reading at Friar Street, The Oracle, Forbury Retail Park, Reading Gate, Oxford Road and Lower Earley, said: “There’s no longer a need to choose between education and employment – people want to study at a stage in their life when it’s convenient for them.

One word. Apprenticeship.

And another thing. They keep calling it a "foundation degree". That's all well and good, but what is the qualification actually based on?

Basil Fawlty, Torquay
24/12/2010 at 04:33

so mow you can get a McDegree to go with your McJob .... oh classic

The Racing Snake
23/12/2010 at 22:19

I wonder if Pru Naik has a McDegree. After all, he has all 6 restaurants. Hypocrites abound in this game!!

MakeYourDaddyProud, Reading, Berks
23/12/2010 at 21:06

A zig-a-zag-ah eh Stanley?

S C A R
23/12/2010 at 17:04

I wonder if they will actually refer to them as a McDegree? I bet they do.

I went into a McDonald's once and asked for a bacon and egg muffin, purposely dropping the self referential 'Mc' prefix.

The attendant looked at me like I'd just arrived from planet Zog. Couldn't understand what I was asking for until I referred to it as a McMuffin. Gah.