Employers are being urged to expand access to work experience as the number of young people not in education, employment or training approaches one million across the UK.
Many young people want to work but are unable to access opportunities, particularly in their local areas or where roles are unpaid.
Against this backdrop, McDonald’s UK announced on Wednesday what it describes as the country’s largest in-person work experience programme, offering 2,500 paid placements in its first year.
The initiative is designed to help young people take their first step into employment, with a focus on areas where access to opportunity is lowest.
Lack of access ‘holding young people back’
Research commissioned by McDonald’s found that two thirds of young people would like to take part in work experience but believe there are not enough opportunities available.
Cost is a major barrier, with many unable to afford unpaid placements, while others cited a lack of opportunities in their local area.
Confidence also varies depending on employment status. While eight in ten of those in education, employment or training said they had something positive to offer, this fell to 57 percent among those who are not currently engaged in either.
Paid placements aimed at breaking barriers
The programme will offer five-day placements for participants aged 16 and over, providing hands-on experience across restaurant operations, including customer service, inventory and day-to-day business tasks.
Participants will also receive support with interview techniques and time management to prepare them for entering the workforce. A quarter of placements will be targeted at young people who are not in education, employment or training, or who are considered at risk of falling into that group.
Lauren Schultz, chief executive of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said the company was using its scale to create opportunities for young people. “By helping thousands gain this exposure and build confidence, we are creating a genuine pathway into employment and demonstrating the transformative power the hospitality sector can have on our national workforce.”
Calls for wider employer action
Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said collaboration between government and employers was essential. “We’re tackling youth unemployment head on by backing young people with the skills and support they need, while working with employers to open more doors.”
Alan Milburn, chair of the government’s Young People and Work Review, said large-scale work experience could help address barriers to employment. “High-quality work experience delivered at scale can be transformative, and McDonald’s commitment shows the kind of leadership employers need to demonstrate if we’re serious about giving every young person a fair start.”
Haroon Chowdry, chief executive of independent think thank the Centre for Young Lives, said many young people wanted to work but lacked access to opportunities and support. “Our research is clear: young people want to work. They have hopes and ambition, but what they often lack are opportunity and support.”
He said those not in education, employment or training had often been let down by the system and that reducing the numbers would require coordinated action across government and employers.
Focus turns to long-term workforce pipeline
The announcement comes as employers face growing pressure to build stronger entry-level talent pipelines and address barriers to employment for younger workers.
While apprenticeships and training schemes have expanded in recent years, access to early-stage work experience remains uneven, particularly for those without existing networks or financial support.
By offering paid placements at scale, the programme reflects a wider push to make early career opportunities more accessible.
The question now is whether more employers will follow suit as businesses and policymakers look for ways to bring more young people into the workforce and reduce long-term economic inactivity.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
