Macca’s launches ‘Archways to Opportunity’ program, transforming workplace skills into verified micro credentials with Australian universities.

McDonald’s Australia has today launched the national roll out of ‘Archways to Opportunity’, an innovative new program offering more than 20,000 Macca’s employees nationwide the opportunity to transform workplace skills into university credits with some of Australia’s leading universities.

Here’s how it works. McDonald’s Crew Coaches and Managers can now earn up to eight verified and transferrable micro-credentials, simply by completing on-the-job learning, face-to-face training and workplace experience in areas like communication, problem-solving and leadership.

They can then take these micro-credentials to any university nationwide and apply for recognition of prior learning that could give them credit toward a university degree in courses including Business, Commerce, Management, HR, Technology and IT.

Each micro-credential counts for up to one subject credit in an undergraduate degree. Stacked together, they can also ladder up to direct entry into a Master of Business Administration.

Excitingly, we have partnered with some of Australia’s leading universities, to provide a seamless pathway for our people towards university credits. This includes the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Torrens University Australia, the new Adelaide University, James Cook University, Curtin University, Charles Darwin University, the University of Tasmania, the University of Canberra, the University of New England, Swinburne University and specialist training provider, the William Angliss Institute.

In some cases, this offers savings of more than $20,000 in fees and could shave up to one year off the total study time required to complete a bachelor’s degree.

McDonald's is the first organisation in Australia to have its internal training and on-the-job experience -certified and recognised by multiple universities nationwide.This means thousands of Macca’s employees now have the opportunity to earn university recognised micro-credentials on the job, with no additional study required.

The nationwide rollout follows a successful pilot earlier this year with Capability.Co, Torrens University and the University of South Australia.

McDonald’s Australia’s CEO, Joe Chiczewski, said, “Macca’s has always been famous for our exceptional skills and training programs, and we proudly invest millions of dollars every year into helping our people grow their skills and capabilities.

“Archways to Opportunity is the next evolution of that commitment and shows our people that the skills and training they build at Macca’s are real, valuable, and recognised beyond our restaurants. That’s not just exciting. It’s world class.

“To be able to work, earn a wage and have your training and experience count towards tertiary education is an incredible opportunity, a powerful career advantage, and an investment we are proud to lead at Macca’s”.

Dr Alana Piper, Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Engagement and Partnerships), from the University of Technology Sydney, said “UTS welcomes this opportunity to partner with McDonald’s Australia on what is an incredible step forward in providing employer-led pathways to higher education.

“We’ve long recognised that university and career pathways aren’t always linear, and there is incredible value in recognising and integrating work-based training with academic study.

“The professional and management skills learned at McDonald’s are world-class, transferrable and in high demand, and we’re looking forward to welcoming new cohorts of talented Macca’s employees and alumni to UTS.”

Kate Britt, CEO, Capability.Co said, “At Capability.Co, we want to ensure that everyone has open access to quality education and fulfilling careers, no matter their background. Archways to Opportunity exemplifies what’s possible when we recognise the real skills people develop every day at work. Together with McDonald’s, we’re opening the door to lifelong learning, career mobility, and greater equity in education.”

Zaakirah Khan, Restaurant Manager at McDonald’s Mount Annan, is excited to receive the micro-credentials, in recognition of her prior learning through McDonald’s training programs.

“I’d always planned to go to university” said Zaakirah, “but never imagined I’d have the support of McDonald’s in creating that opportunity. Now I’m able to take that next step, and it’s incredible to know that everything I’ve learned at Macca’s is giving me a head start. I can also continue to fit my shifts at Macca’s around study, which is a bonus!”

Paul Rissman, McDonald’s Franchisee in the Townsville region, was one of the first Franchisees to participate in the pilot earlier this year, recognising the unique opportunity the program presented to the hundreds of people he employs across his eight restaurants.

“Every young person should have the opportunity to succeed,” said Rissman. “I’ve always loved being able to give young people that great first job at Macca’s, and to play a role in their early career development. Where we operate in the Townsville region, access to skills and development opportunities isn’t always the same as it is in the bigger cities, and so Archways to Opportunity will deliver important new pathways for education and career development.”

Archways to Opportunity has launched at all McDonald’s restaurants, nationwide.

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Dan Cockerell, CEO Torrens University Australia said “Recognising real-world experience through microcredentials is a game-changer - not just for McDonald’s employees, but for the future of education. At Torrens University, we’re proud to partner with Capability Co to turn workplace skills into academic opportunity. This is what inclusive, employability-focused learning looks like.

Torrens University is built for real life - we understand that people need to fit study around work, family, and personal commitments. That’s why we offer flexible, career-aligned education to all our students and work with our industry partners to upskill their employees.”

Julia Atterton, Director Adelaide University Online said, “Adelaide University is delighted to partner with McDonalds and Capability Co to provide exciting opportunities for McDonalds employees from all around Australia to acquire tertiary qualifications within a flexible framework to suit their personal circumstances.

“Teaching that is informed by industry, and tailored to workplace needs, is the cornerstone of an Adelaide University education. This new partnership program is an example of the varied and flexible learning Australia’s contemporary new university will offer, which will include training and pathways to suit all kinds of learners. We are excited to welcome students into a wide variety of campus-based or 100% online programs that can be studied from anywhere.”

The Hon Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra, said: “From counting burgers to accounting prowess, partnerships between the higher education sector and corporates, like McDonalds, are giving more adults access to tertiary education, contributing to our productivity, and shaping Australia’s future.”

“At UC, we meet our students where they want to go and provide pathways to higher education, through microcredentials or courses like our Bachelor of Business with its various specialisations that open doors to advancing careers.”

“By recognising the life skills, knowledge and capabilities of McDonalds’ employees, UC will be giving them the leg up they need to head down the path of lifelong learning whether in accounting, human resource management, international business, or marketing because their experience counts, and their future lies beyond the archways of potential.”

Professor Simon Biggs, Vice-Chancellor James Cook University said: “As one of the North’s largest universities, JCU is thrilled to partner with Capability.Co and McDonald’s Australia to open new pathways to higher education, recognising the power of lifelong learning and helping skilled learners turn their professional experience into academic success.”

Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England said: “70 years ago UNE pioneered distance education that meets students where they are in their lives. Today, our nationally leading expertise in inclusive online and flexible university delivery means we can support McDonalds employees in the Archways to Opportunity Program to study while maintaining their careers and family commitments, without requiring them to reshape their lives around traditional university structures.

“We are excited to work with Capability.Co and McDonald’s to break down barriers to university study, to grow skills and knowledge in regional economies and ensure that our courses recognise the on-the-job skill and experience that programs such as Archways to Opportunity represent.”

Charles Darwin University Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Fiona Coulson, said, “Charles Darwin University, as Australia’s only remote university, has been a pioneer in online education for more than 20 years.”

“We’re delighted to partner with McDonald’s and Capability Co to expand access to our innovative business courses. Together, we share a commitment to creating opportunities and pathways for people to learn, grow, and succeed, and this partnership helps make that possible for more people.”

Curtin University’s Centre for Learning Enterprise and Partnership Engagement Director, Chandra Sundareswaran, said “Curtin was delighted to be the first WA university to partner with Capability Co. to open up new tertiary pathways into the University’s Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Innovation courses.

“Curtin is committed to empowering people from diverse backgrounds as well as regional and remote areas to achieve their academic and career potential, so we are excited to be working with McDonald’s to make higher education more accessible for their employees,” Mr Sundareswaran said.

“The Archways to Opportunity program will establish a formal credit recognition and direct entry pathway into Curtin’s undergraduate and postgraduate business or management programs, which gives students the opportunity to embark on a journey of lifelong learning, forge lasting connections, and unlock opportunities for a bright future.”

The University of Tasmania’s Dean and Head of School, Mark Bowles, said: “The University of Tasmania believes in the transformative power of education and recognises that enabling access for more people to participate in tertiary education is vital to achieve a more equitable, healthy and productive future for Tasmania.”

“The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics is delighted to provide students with an accredited pathway to further study that recognises their hard work and allows them to build on their skills and qualifications.”

Swinburne University’s Louise Robinson, Executive Director, Swinburne Edge, said: “As a proud multisector university, Swinburne University of Technology is excited to offer McDonald’s employees access to pursue meaningful careers through our tailored learning pathways at Swinburne Edge. We’re opening doors to transformative experiences that empower staff to grow, evolve and thrive.”

More about Archways to Opportunity.

Archways to Opportunity is an innovative new training and development program offered by McDonald’s Australia. Open to Crew Coaches and Restaurant Managers across the country (more than 20,000 people), it offers them to opportunity to transform workplace skills into university credits with some of Australia’s leading universities.

There are eight micro-credentials that can be earned through McDonald’s training pathways - a combination of McDonald’s on-the-job learning, online courses and training courses completed at the Charlie Bell School of Management (Hamburger University) and training centres across the country. These include:

• Problem Solving & Data
• Leadership
• Engagement & Coaching
• Direction & Purpose
• Customer Focus
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Agile & Innovative

Each micro credential counts for up to one subject credit toward an undergraduate Bachelor of Business or equivalent degree. Stacked together, they can also ladder up to Direct Entry into a Master of Business Administration Program at participating universities.

Those who have already completed their restaurant training can apply now to receive their equivalent micro-credentials or map out a training plan to fast-track their progression.

Once earned, the micro-credentials don’t expire, giving people the flexibility to plan their future, in their own time, and their way.

About McDonald’s Australia

• Australia’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Yagoona, Sydney, in 1971.
• Today, there are more than 1,050 McDonald’s restaurants across Australia, around 85% of which are franchised and run by local businessmen and women – many of whom got their start as crew members.
• Macca’s employs more than 115,000 people in restaurants and corporate offices across the country and is one of the largest employers of youth in Australia.
• With approximately 70% of restaurant crew in secondary school, TAFE, or university, we play an important role in youth development, training, and education.
• Each year, McDonald’s invests more than $60 million into training and development, including on-the-job-learning, online courses and development, face-to-face training at the Charlie Bell School of Management, Hamburger University and training centres across the country.
• Hamburger University is a global training centre dedicated to developing individuals’ skills and knowledge in restaurant operation procedures. There are just a handful of official Hamburger Universities across the world, with Sydney proudly home to one.
• For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com.au or McDonald’s social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok , or YouTube.