ATHABASCA, Alta. — McDonald’s Canada has partnered with Athabasca University (AU) to offer restaurant employees in company-owned and franchise locations the option to work towards a university degree while they are on the job.
Employees who complete McDonald’s Canada Management Development program courses, which is part of its Archways to Opportunity program, will now be eligible for credits in one of four AU programs: Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Management, Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations and the Bachelor of General Studies. AU’s open, online-learning model allows McDonald’s employees to earn a degree from anywhere.
“Athabasca University’s mission is to transform lives and communities by removing barriers to higher education, and this partnership with McDonald’s Canada fully delivers on this promise,” says Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and vice-president Academic at AU. “It’s exciting to work with a partner like McDonald’s Canada, which has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to professional development. Together, we can help learners achieve their education goals and, in turn, become better leaders and difference-makers.”
“The McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program was beneficial to my personal and professional growth. I was able to gain a business diploma and become a well-rounded manager thanks to the training I gained at McDonald’s coupled with the courses I took through the Archways program. Knowing what I know now about the program, I’m an advocate to ensuring my team members can benefit from it too,” says Brittney Ivany, Market People Lead at McDonald’s Canada.
