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Thursday Jan 31, 2008
Big Mac with a diploma to go
Monday's news that McDonalds (as well as FlyBe and Network Rail) have been given awarding body status by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority was met with a fairly predictable initial response.
The day after, The Independent reported that teachers were "furious", as well as featuring a slightly patronising comment piece (a quick summary: vocational qualifications are jolly good, as long as they don't really count for much).
However, now everyone's had the chance to calm down a bit there are some signs of growing support (see here and here). Quite right too I say.
Before anyone blows their lid about McDonalds rivalling the beloved institution that they studied in, they should be sure that in another breath they don't complain about the lack of basic numeracy skills in the UK.
Equally, why is it that when you're going for your first job, everyone talks about the value of "life experience", but then kicks up a fuss when you quantify and accredit that experience? In terms of the A-Level that McDonalds are offering, let's get some perspective – it's an A-Level in Shift Management, not English Lit.
I'd have thought that McDonalds would be a useful place to study shift management, as it's an integral part of their business. As Mr Burns (no, not the one from the Simpsons) points out, this could also transfer very easily into a career in the NHS, for example.
The same applies to volunteering – it won't be long before you can gain nationally recognised qualifications through voluntary work, and why not? Rather than being a footnote at the end of your CV, the skills and experience you've gained in the "real world" will get the accreditation they deserve.
Posted by Sam Thomas ( 10:01 AM ) Link to this post Comments[0]